This is the horrifying CCTV footage a man watched as he saw his wife plummet to her death in an out-of-control lift.
The clip, recorded on security cameras in a smart apartment building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, shows victim Adriana Maria de Jesus, 45, on her way to work with a family living there.
It later emerged that her husband Gildelio Alves do Santos, the building’s caretaker, had watched her last moments on his security monitor.
The images, which appeared in local media on October 9, show Adriana getting into the elevator in the Santo Andre building on the fifth floor.
As the elevator goes up two floors, two men enter and the elevator begins to go back down.
But when he returned to the fifth floor, he suddenly went into free fall and plunged to the ground floor at high speed.
The clip, recorded on security cameras in a smart apartment building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, shows victim Adriana Maria de Jesus, 45, on her way to work
When it returned to the fifth floor, it suddenly went into free fall and plunged to the ground floor at high speed
Husband Gildelio Alves do Santos (photo, right), the building’s caretaker, had watched the last moments of his wife Adriana (photo, left) on his security monitor
Terrified, Adriana raises her hands in the air, but moments later she disappears in a cloud of smoke, dust and debris as the elevator hits the ground at tremendous speed as the clip ends.
The shocking accident happened more than two months ago, but according to local media reports, the investigation into Adriana’s death has barely begun.
Husband Gildelio said: ‘I looked at the screen and saw my wife go upstairs and everything was normal.
“When it came down, I was shocked.”
He added: “My heart is broken. I have to find the strength to work and get on with life, because I have to work.”
Adriana was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries, but died a week later on August 13.
The two men in the elevator, aged 63 and 27, survived the fall and were allowed home after hospital treatment.
Adriana was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries, but died a week later on August 13
Sao Paulo’s Ministry of Public Security said the case is being investigated as a suspicious death and bodily injury
Adriana and Gildelio were childhood sweethearts, but did not marry until they met again after 28 years apart
Adriana and Gildelio were childhood sweethearts, but did not marry until they met again after 28 years apart.
He added: “We met again and had the opportunity to experience this childhood love for six years.”
Local media reported that the elevator is the same one that was installed when the apartment building was built 60 years ago.
Sao Paulo’s Ministry of Public Security said the case is being investigated as a suspicious death and bodily injury.
A spokesman said: ‘We are looking for evidence and listening to witnesses to clarify the facts.’
The apartment building’s contract engineer, Atlas Schindler, would only say it supports the police investigation and had urged the building’s owners to upgrade the elevator.