On September 14, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Sabine Boghici, 49, experienced a fatal fall from a fifth-floor building. The details of her death are actively being probed by police, examining various possibilities including the likelihood of suicide.
Beyond her work in modeling, Boghici also had careers in singing and acting. However, an arrest in August 2022 unearthed a convoluted story involving fake fortune-telling, superstitions, and the theft of art. A sham psychic’s assertion that Boghici’s end was near played a central role in this deceit.
Concerned by this so-called prediction, Boghici’s mother, Geneviève, 83, initiated consistent payments, believing it was for “spiritual work” to ensure her daughter’s safety. These payments culminated to an astonishing sum of close to $150 million.
A substantial part of these payments stemmed from art. Geneviève’s inherited collection, which included works by renowned Brazilian artists Tarsila do Amaral and Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, became a primary target. Under the guise of them being tainted by “the evil eye” and in need of spiritual cleansing, Boghici, along with her wife Rosa Stanesco Nicolau, now in custody for her suspected role, frequently removed them from Geneviève’s possession.
Eventually, Geneviève’s doubts grew, causing her to cease the payments in February 2020. In response, Boghici is said to have increased her control over her mother by cutting off communications and removing house staff, thus enabling further theft. Police subsequently discovered artworks hidden beneath a bed during a raid.
As a result of this scam, six individuals have been charged on counts of embezzlement, extortion, false imprisonment, and criminal association. Although both Boghici and Nicolau were incarcerated, Boghici acquired bail in March.
With a court date that was planned for September 21, Boghici’s unexpected death has led to her attorney, Hugo Novais, announcing that the case against her is now closed. The cases against the other accused individuals will move forward. Boghici’s death investigation remains active.
