The 14-year-old boy suspected of killing his mother, a councilwoman in Vagos, Aveiro district, is subject to the preventive measure of detention in a closed educational center for three months, a judicial source announced today.
This measure was determined after the initial questioning, which took place on Wednesday at the Family and Juvenile Court of Aveiro, within the scope of the Educational Tutelary Process initiated against the minor for acts constituting a qualified homicide crime, which occurred on Tuesday.
In statements to Lusa, lawyer Carla Delgado, representing the minor, stated that “this measure will be reviewed after two months and may last a maximum of six months.” The lawyer added that the minor will be subjected to forensic examinations.
In a statement released today, the Judicial Police (PJ) of Aveiro announced that they identified the minor due to strong evidence of committing a qualified homicide crime, which claimed the life of his mother, Susana Gravato.
“The victim was shot by a firearm while inside her home” in the town of Gafanha da Vagueira, the PJ statement said, noting that they have already recovered the firearm used, which belongs to the minor’s father.
The councilwoman of the outgoing executive of the Municipal Chamber of Vagos, in the Aveiro district, died on Tuesday at the age of 49.
Susana Gravato died Tuesday afternoon after being attacked at home. The Judicial Police (PJ) reveal that the councilwoman of the Municipal Chamber of Vagos was killed with a firearm, belonging to her husband. The main suspect in the crime is her 14-year-old son.
Andrea Pinto | 10:06 – 22/10/2025
Also on Tuesday, the outgoing mayor, João Paulo Sousa, stated that the municipality was “in shock” and distressed, not knowing at the time the circumstances of the councilwoman’s death.
The phone, the blanket, and the cameras: The details
The victim’s husband and the Vagos Firefighters, who went to the scene, performed “resuscitation maneuvers,” but upon the arrival of the medical vehicle at the victim’s home, death was declared, the commander of that corporation said on Tuesday.
According to Jornal de Notícias, Susana Gravato was on the phone with a friend when she screamed and stopped responding. The friend tried to call the councilwoman back, but she did not answer, causing the friend to inform the husband of what had happened.
When the husband arrived home, he found Susana lying and covered with a blanket, in cardiorespiratory arrest, and he was the one who called for medical emergency services.
Initial data suggested the councilwoman might have been the victim of a robbery, a scenario allegedly staged by the son. According to the publication, Susana Gravato had lunch with her husband at a restaurant near home before returning to the residence with the teenager. The home’s surveillance cameras recorded the moment when the minor left the house, after which the cameras were covered or turned off.
As the main suspect in the crime, it was learned that the minor used a firearm belonging to the father. He shot his mother in the head.
The Vagos Chamber declared three days of municipal mourning in memory and public recognition of the councilwoman.
In a condolence note published on social media, the Vagos Chamber, in the Aveiro district, expressed its “deep grief” over the death of Susana Gravato, councilwoman of the outgoing executive.
Susana Gravato “stood out for her dedication to public service, closeness to people, and commitment to the county’s development,” stated the Municipal Chamber.
“Her departure leaves us poorer and saddens the entire Vagos community,” it said.
Susana Gravato, born in Ílhavo, had lived in Gafanha da Vagueira, Vagos municipality, since she was six years old.
A law graduate, Susana Gravato practiced law, had been a member of the Social Democratic Party since 1994, and served as a councilwoman in the outgoing executive, with responsibilities in areas such as environment, justice, general administration, social cohesion, and health, among others.
[Updated news at 11:06 PM]
