The body of a 40-year-old Portuguese emigrant living in Luxembourg was discovered in August 2021 on the banks of the Mondego River in Figueira da Foz.
Initially thought to be a drowning, it was later concluded to be a murder. Marco became the target of a family conspiracy, orchestrated by his partner, her mother, her mother’s boyfriend, and his stepson.
The incident, currently being tried in Luxembourg, may have been motivated by a desire to claim his health insurance, although the plan went awry.
How Marco Met the Woman Who Killed Him
Marco and Rosa were emigrants in Luxembourg. Rosa, originally from Figueira da Foz, moved to Luxembourg after a breakup, taking her son with her. She initially stayed with her mother before finding her own home. Her son eventually stayed in his grandmother’s care, as reported.
Marco, born in Luxembourg to emigrant parents, returned to Portugal at a young age, only to return to Luxembourg later, where his sister resided.
Marco and Rosa met spontaneously and were immediately attracted to each other. At the time, Rosa was pregnant with her youngest daughter, though the father’s identity remained unknown.
This did not stop Marco from embracing the child as his own and beginning a relationship with Rosa. Their relationship, described by acquaintances as tumultuous, was marked by frequent arguments, but they had an understanding of sorts. The couple lived together as husband and wife, despite never marrying.
New Family Member Disrupts Relationship
The couple’s relationship grew more strained with the arrival of Rosa’s mother’s new boyfriend, João, who was ten years younger and not well accepted by the family.
In 2019, Rosa underwent weight-loss surgery and João began to look at her differently, leading to a secret affair.
This marked the beginning of a deterioration in Marco and Rosa’s relationship. “They argued over everything and nothing, all the time,” recalls a friend, noting that Marco became the victim of a conspiracy that was casually discussed until it turned into a plan to end his life on August 4.
Drowning or Crime?
A day later, a body was discovered floating near the Mondego River in Portugal. What first appeared to be an accidental drowning was soon revealed to be far more complex.
An autopsy revealed poisoning and knee injuries suggesting he was dragged.
Sensing foul play, the Portuguese Judiciary Police collaborated with Luxembourg authorities, leading to the arrest of Rosa, Maria Clara, João, and Rosa’s eldest son in the following March.
Upon her arrest, Rosa quickly confessed, blaming her mother for manipulative behavior. Text exchanges disclosed that the murder plot began following a neighbor’s pesticide-related suicide in Esch.
Marco Bought the Poison That Would Kill Him
Before being thrown into the Mondego River, Marco unknowingly survived an initial murder attempt. In Luxembourg, Rosa had tried to poison him while he worked on a roof, hoping he would fall to his death after drinking poisoned wine. Although he felt unwell, Marco recovered without serious harm.
During a holiday in Portugal, the crime was executed. Unknowingly, Marco procured poison from a cousin’s agricultural store for potato pests, as a trusted favor.
That night, the plan was enacted. João offered the poisoned drink to Marco. Rosa and Maria Clara moved his body to the riverbank and disposed of it in the water.
Rosa later claimed Marco left her for an old girlfriend.
Motives Behind the Crime
A life insurance policy worth several thousand euros was reportedly at the heart of the crime. Rosa hoped to claim this after Marco’s death but overlooked a crucial detail: they were not legally married.
Rosa managed to withdraw 7,000 euros using Marco’s bank cards, adding to the evidence against her.
Arrests Follow Months Later; Trial Underway
Four individuals were arrested the following March: “the deceased’s wife (45 years), her mother (64 years), the mother’s partner (54 years), and the wife’s son from a previous marriage (25 years).”
Rosa, Maria Clara, and João have been in Luxembourgese custody since their arrest. Marco António remains free but under judicial supervision. Rosa’s youngest daughter, now 10, is under a friend’s care.
The trial, held in Luxembourg due to the crime’s planning location and suspects’ residency, began last week and continues this week.
