The homicide of Susana Gravato, a member of the outgoing executive of Vagos City Council, in the Aveiro district, is causing shock across the country. Following her suspicious death on Tuesday, it was revealed yesterday that her 14-year-old son was the one who shot and killed her.
After being identified by the Judiciary Police (PJ), the teenager was subjected to the precautionary measure of detention in a closed educational center for three months, meaning he was institutionalized.
The future of this case remains uncertain, as it involves a minor. It is known that he cannot be held criminally responsible, and the most severe measure, as reported, is confinement in a closed educational center for a maximum period of three years. If this happens, he will be free at 17.
The young man appeared to be a normal child, with no history of violence or abuse towards his mother, and his motives remain unclear. However, the crime seems to have been planned, as he memorized the safe code where his father kept the weapon used, shot Susana Gravato, 49, and simulated a robbery with “dramatic reenactments,” including rummaging through various rooms and covering the family’s home’s external cameras. He also covered his mother’s body with a blanket.
The body was discovered by the husband of the social-democrat, who was alerted by a colleague of the woman, with whom she was on the phone at the time of the crime, that something suspicious had occurred.
Authorities initially treated the case as a robbery but quickly concluded—and the boy confessed on Tuesday night—that the murderer was within the family.
To the Judiciary Police inspectors, the adolescent did not explain the crime. He simply stated that his mother was very demanding and had irritated him in recent days.
Neighbors and family friends have expressed shock at the tragedy, which appeared to come without warning.
“They were a very close-knit family; I’m in shock at what happened. The kid was calm and polite,” a family friend said upon learning that Susana’s son was the shooter.
According to this man, who wished to remain anonymous, it was common during weekends for friends of Susana’s two children to gather for socializing. “I never saw anything that could lead to this,” he assured.
Moments before being killed, Susana Gravato had lunch with her husband at the Morgado restaurant, opposite their home.
She complained of a headache and returned home. Her husband returned to the hardware store where he works, on the same street.
On social networks, Susana is highly praised. “A wonderful and dedicated mother,” “an example,” “wherever she went, she lit up with her contagious smile,” are some of the comments written.
Susana Gravato held a law degree and had been practicing since 2005. She was a PSD member since 1994 and had been part of the JSD. Between 2009 and 2013, she was a member of the Vagos Municipal Assembly, elected by the Vagos Primeiro Movement. She was currently a councilor for Vagos City Council, responsible for General Administration, Environment, Animal Health and Protection, Justice (Social Reintegration, Domestic Violence, Peace Courts and Victims of Crime Support), Social Cohesion, and Senior Citizens.
Her husband is a businessman and director of the Humanitarian Association of Vagos Volunteer Firefighters.
The Vagos City Council has declared three days of municipal mourning in her memory and public recognition. On social networks, messages of grief and condolences multiply.
