Matsunaga case penthouse is put up for sale for R$ 2.8 million in São Paulo

The penthouse where Elize Matsunaga killed and dismembered her husband, in Vila Leopoldina, in the western zone of São Paulo, has been put up for sale for R$ 2.8 million.

The apartment has been vacant since the time of the crime, in May 2012. According to neighbors, some people showed up to clean the place over the years, but there has been no other resident. The family of the victim, businessman Marcos Matsunaga, is responsible for the property.

It was in the high-end apartment that Elize shot the businessman and dismembered him. Afterward, she took the service elevator down with suitcases carrying parts of his body. After the crime, she spent a few days in the penthouse with her young daughter, but was soon arrested. The child was placed in the care of the paternal family, who remain responsible for her to this day.

The property where the couple lived encompasses two penthouses, which were purchased by Marcos Matsunaga and renovated to become a single unit. One of these apartments was registered in Elize's name, a right she lost following a court ruling after the crime. Since then, the businessman's parents have been responsible for the property.

The reporting team attempted to contact the Matsunaga family's legal defense, but received no response before publication.

The announcement of the property's sale comes after the resolution of legal disputes involving the premises. In the building, neighbors often used to comment about the property, though the fate of the place remained uncertain. "But they have no outstanding debts," said a neighbor, in a recent report by Folha.

The 340-square-meter triplex penthouse has been listed with several real estate agencies. The apartment, according to those listings, has five suites and four garage spaces. Images of the property show that it features, among other areas, a private pool and a barbecue space on the rooftop terrace overlooking São Paulo.

One of the highlights featured in the listing is the property's location, near Villa-Lobos Park.

"This apartment in São Paulo is an exceptional choice for those seeking quality of life, comfort and convenience in one of the most dynamic cities in Brazil," reads the listing text.

The high-end apartment has monthly condominium fees of R$ 6,087. In addition, the property tax (IPTU) costs R$ 19,300 per year, payable in 12 installments.

Value could be higher, says broker

Experts consulted by the reporting team pointed out that the property is priced below market value. This was already expected as an attempt to attract buyers, given the stigma attached to the widely publicized crime.

"It is a well-maintained property, based on the available photos, and of high standard. So the price for that area could be higher," assessed the president of Creci-SP (São Paulo Regional Council of Real Estate Brokers), José Augusto Viana Neto.

Neto states that brokers are obligated to inform potential buyers about the crime that occurred at the property. "If a person buys it without knowing this, and that turns out to be a relevant factor for them, they can even seek compensation for moral damages."

The president of Creci-SP says that many people may back out of the purchase upon learning of the crime. However, he notes that there is a specific audience that may be interested in the property. "Perhaps foreigners or investors may not be bothered by that fact," he told Folha.

Building removed name from façade

The triplex penthouse where the crime occurred is located at the top of the Roma building. Two weeks ago, Folha reported that the building's name was removed from its facade shortly after the crime, following a renovation. For people who live in the area, it was a way of trying to reduce the stigma attributed to the place. Those responsible for the building did not respond to the newspaper's questions at the time.

The crime is a case that is difficult to dissociate from the penthouse, mainly due to the intense repercussions that continue to this day.

The case of the woman who killed her husband has already been the subject of a book, a documentary, a series, and this month became the theme of a new Netflix film, "Elize: Shadows of a Woman," which premiered on the 22nd.

Elize was convicted in 2016 of aggravated homicide and concealment of a corpse. Her sentence amounted to nearly 19 years in prison. In May 2019, she obtained a reduction of her sentence by two years and six months through the courts. At the time, the Fifth Panel of the STJ (Superior Court of Justice) accepted a request from the defense. Since 2022, she has been on parole.