A prominent fitness trainer from Brazil, Débora “Debby” Michels, was tragically found dead near her parents’ residence following a physical altercation with her husband. The body of the 30-year-old was discovered wrapped in a red cloth, abandoned on the sidewalk a short distance from her parents’ home last Friday, as reported by local news outlets.
Michels was a beloved figure in her community, according to her brother, Alex Michels. “She was adored by everyone here, friends, family, everyone cherished her,” he said. Her husband, Alexander Gunsch, 48, later confessed to the local police that he was responsible for her death and had disposed of her body.
Gunsch revealed to the authorities that during their argument, he had violently grabbed Michels by the neck and thrown her against a wardrobe, causing her to feel unwell. He attempted to rush her to the hospital, but she died en route. Overwhelmed by panic, Gunsch decided to leave her body outside her parents’ home in Montenegro.
The police spokesperson stated, “He simply discarded the victim’s body in front of her parents’ residence. He not only disposed of the cellphone but also the victim’s body.” The police have classified Michels’ death as a femicide and have requested Gunsch’s detention. He was arrested on Sunday.
The family revealed that Michels had never mentioned any physical abuse from Gunsch, but they were in the process of separating. The couple had been together for 11 years. Michels was planning to move into her own apartment the day after her death, with her mother scheduled to assist her in packing her belongings.
Michels was a well-known personal trainer, adored for her passion for fitness and her job. “The people at the gym, who worked with her, loved her smile and her joy in working. She was a captivating person, very special,” her brother said. She had been a personal trainer since 2011 and frequently shared fitness tips and gym routines on her social media platforms.
Michels also competed in bodybuilding competitions and worked at a gym in Montenegro. She held a degree in physical education from Unisinos, a Jesuit university in southern Brazil. It was there that she met Gunsch, whom she helped train. They eventually fell in love and worked at the same gym, according to her father, Davi Rodrigues da Silva.
Michels’ funeral was held on Saturday, and she was laid to rest in the Municipal Cemetery of Montenegro.