STJ Restores R$1 Million Award, Finds São Paulo School Negligent in 2015 Death of Victoria Natalini

Overview

• The Superior Court of Justice’s 4th Panel ruled unanimously, with relator Antônio Carlos Ferreira reversing a TJ-SP cut that had lowered the award to R$400,000.
• The court deemed the indemnity proportionate given the school’s insurance coverage of up to R$7.2 million and framed the sum as a deterrent to institutional negligence.
• Ferreira stated the death was not accidental but a consummated homicide by mechanical asphyxia, calling the event an act of extreme violence and cruelty.
• São Paulo’s homicide unit (DHPP) has reopened the criminal inquiry with new diligences and witness hearings, and authorities have not identified a suspect publicly.
• Victoria disappeared after going alone to a bathroom during an Itatiba field trip; her body was found the next day after an initial inconclusive autopsy and later exams confirming asphyxia, and the school has not issued a substantive response.