A special education teacher had an argument with her boyfriend the night before her body was discovered in a bathtub, police allege.
Diogo De Oliveira, 40, is accused of killing Catiuscia Machado during a domestic incident at about 9.50pm on Saturday at their Chiswick unit in Sydney’s west.
De Oliveira has been charged with domestic violence murder, with police alleging he pushed the Brazilian teacher, causing her to hit her head as she fell into the bathtub.
Ms Machado’s body was discovered in the bath full of water and packets of frozen food.
Catiuscia Machado’s body was found in a bathtub at her home
Diogo De Oliveira, 40 (pictured), is accused of killing Catiuscia Machado during a domestic incident at about 9.50pm on Saturday at their Chiswick unit in Sydney’s west
Ms Machado, believed to be in her 40s, had only recently arrived in Australia.
Police are currently trying to contact her relatives in her home country.
De Oliveira is said to have called a friend in the aftermath of the death, who then called the police and raised the alarm.
Officers arrested De Oliveira at the unit block on Berchert Road, Chiswick, and he was taken to Burwood police station where he was charged.
He appeared at Burwood Local Court on Monday and did not apply for bail. A post-mortem examination is underway to determine the cause of death.
Ms. Machado was a specialist in psychopedagogy, who teaches children with mental health problems.
“I work in cognitive development, with an emphasis on learning disabilities,” she described her work online.
In a recent Facebook post, she wrote about her hopes for the future and vowed to make changes in her life.
Police allege De Oliveira, 40, punched Cati Machado (pictured), causing her to fall into the water-filled bathtub where she died
Diogo De Oliveira (pictured) appeared at Burwood Local Court on Monday and did not apply for bail. A post-mortem examination is being carried out to determine the cause of death
On her birthday in October 2022, she revealed her “great will to live” and vowed to live life to the fullest.
“I learned that you have to live intensely, take advantage of every moment and do everything you want without running away to later,” she wrote.
‘Today also begins a new cycle, full of good expectations and a great will to live! And on to another lap around the sun…’
Earlier that year, she spoke about her plans to make major changes in her life.
“It says that each cycle of our lives lasts seven years,” she posted in May 2022. “And that’s really what it was for me.
‘This month completes my last one, a cycle with beginning, middle and end… one of the hardest to do.
Ms. Machado was a specialist in psychopedagogy and taught children with mental health problems
Officers arrested De Oliveira in the unit block on Berchert Road, Chiswick (pictured) and he was taken to Burwood police station where he was charged with murder.
“I’ve learned, I’ve matured, I’ve experienced things I never thought I would experience. Those who really know me know.”
She added: “Now is the beginning of a new one.
‘I carry more wisdom, more self-love, knowledge of what I want, and most importantly, what I don’t want in my life.
“Bring on the next seven years!”