Cops arrest prime suspect over alleged ‘Goodnight Cinderella’ murder of US millionaire businessman and dad D’Wayne Morris, 43, who was found dead in a rented Copacabana room a day after landing in Brazil
A woman has been arrested for the alleged murder of an American millionaire, who is believed to have died after being lethally sedated in a ‘Goodnight Cinderella’ scam film.
D’Wayne Antonio Morris, 43, was found dead in his rented apartment in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 8 this year. He had been drugged before reportedly going into convulsions and foaming at the mouth.
According to police, Morris and a friend were lured by two women who then drugged them with GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), a powerful nervous system depressant, in an attempt to rob them. His companion survived the attack.
Leticia Clara Bento da Silva, 23, who allegedly met the pair at a local bar, has been arrested for Morris’ murder.
A second suspect, who was captured on surveillance cameras leaving the apartment with a woman believed to be Da Silva, has not yet been identified and remains at large.
Morris, a Minneapolis native, founded Blue Waters Consulting and Soul Community Development Corporation, managing a portfolio of companies valued at $14 million.
D’wayne Antonio Morris, 43, (left) was found dead in his rented apartment in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 8 this year. Leticia Clara Bento da Silva, 23, (right) has now been arrested for his murder
It is believed two women drugged Morris with GHB, a powerful nervous system depressant, and fled. Morris and his friend are seen on CCTV entering the rented apartment where he was found dead with two women – who are suspects in his murder
He had traveled to Brazil on business when he became the victim of a drug trafficking ring among tourists, allegedly run by da Silva and an unknown accomplice.
It is believed the two women administered GHB, a powerful neurosuppressant, to Morris and then fled.
Morris was with a friend in the Lapa neighborhood when he encountered da Silva and her friend in the early hours of the day of the incident.
According to reports, the group had drinks at a bar before going to the rented apartment, where Morris was later found dead.
The entrepreneur’s friend felt unwell and left for another location, later telling police he felt dizzy and disoriented.
Morris and the two women arrived at the apartment around 20 minutes after midnight on August 8.
CCTV footage showed the two women leaving the building alone two hours later. A doorman can be seen getting them into a black vehicle waiting for them.
Surveillance camera footage showed the two women leaving the building alone just two hours later and getting into a black vehicle waiting for them (photo)
Leticia Clara Bento da Silva appears in a series of photos released by authorities. Police say she has a criminal record for similar offenses and has been a suspect in multiple cases involving drug-related thefts.
A second suspect (pictured) who was caught on surveillance camera leaving the apartment with a woman believed to be Da Silva has not yet been identified and remains at large.
Morris, a father of one, was found unconscious in the apartment later that morning and was already dead by the time authorities arrived.
According to police, Morris began convulsing and foaming at the mouth after being sedated. The Atlanta Black Star reported.
Witness statements and investigations pointed to Da Silva, who police say has a criminal record for similar offenses and was a suspect in several drug theft cases.
The US Consulate in Rio de Janeiro confirmed Morris’ death and issued a statement offering its “sincere condolences” to his family.
“We express our sincere condolences to the family for their loss and stand ready to provide consular assistance,” the consulate said.
Morris, pictured in his U.S. passport photo, had traveled to Brazil on business. He was the founder of Blue Waters Consulting and Soul Community Development Corporation, managing a portfolio of companies worth $14 million
“We are closely following the local authorities’ investigations into the cause of death. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”
Morris’ life partner Tamatha Richman paid tribute to the businessman, saying CBS News last week that ‘being a partner with D’Wayne basically means sharing him with the world’.
She said their family had “traveled to different countries” and often felt very safe because they were “very aware of the things that are needed when you travel internationally.”
“It doesn’t make sense. D’Wayne was in the country for less than 24 hours. D’Wayne hadn’t even spent the night in Brazil,” she said of his murder. “This is absolutely a situation where D’Wayne was the target.”
Richman, who is organizing a celebration of life for Morris in Minnesota, said the family faced several challenges in bringing his body home. He will be buried later in Jamaica, where he was born, on his family’s land.
“The embassy and local authorities have informed us that this process may take some time,” she wrote in a GoFundMe page created in his honor. She said the family will keep everyone updated on the situation.
The crowdfunder, which aims to help the family with expenses during this difficult time, has already raised more than $30,000.
A GoFundMe account to help the family bring Morris’ body home has already raised more than $30,000. Pictured: D’Wayne Morris
“Good night, Cinderella” is contemporary Brazilian slang for Rohypnol, GHB or any other drug that renders another person unconscious, leaving him or her vulnerable to assault or robbery.
GHB can also cause amnesia, meaning that people can no longer remember what happened after coming down from the effects of the drug.
It also slows the transmission of signals between the brain and the body and at higher doses can cause sedation, confusion, loss of consciousness and respiratory depression, resulting in death.