Flavio Alcantara Dias, 43, was taken into custody after federal authorities accused him of strangling 33-year-old Brianna Connolly inside her Massachusetts home. Authorities said Dias called 911 after an altercation and told dispatchers that a homicide had occurred. The case has also drawn attention to his immigration history and prior arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Middlesex County prosecutors said Dias described the killing during the call and told police he had been using drugs with Connolly before they argued. Investigators reported finding injuries and a cord around Connolly’s neck. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
| 1) | Federal arrest follows fatal Massachusetts incident |
| 2) | 911 call becomes central to the investigation |
| 3) | Investigators describe the evidence at the home |
| 4) | Immigration history becomes part of the case |
| 5) | Authorities seek continued custody and removal action |
Federal arrest follows fatal Massachusetts incident
Federal immigration authorities said Tuesday that they arrested Flavio Alcantara Dias, a Brazilian national, in connection with the death of Brianna Connolly inside her Massachusetts home. The incident occurred the previous week, according to the account presented in court. Connolly was 33 years old, while Dias is 43.
The investigation is being handled through local criminal proceedings and federal immigration enforcement. Officials have accused Dias of strangling Connolly, but the available account does not establish a final conviction or sentence. Prosecutors outlined the allegations during a Middlesex County court proceeding.
911 call becomes central to the investigation
Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Brandt described a 911 call that Dias placed after the altercation. Brandt said Dias asked for police and told the dispatcher that a homicide had just occurred at the residence.
“Can I have police? A homicide just happened here right now,” Dias said during the call, according to the prosecutor’s courtroom account.
Brandt said Dias also stated that he had killed a woman by mistake and later described suffocating or strangling her. The prosecutor said Dias was speaking Portuguese during the call. The statements are being considered alongside physical evidence and other investigative information.
Investigators describe the evidence at the home
According to the prosecution account, Dias told police that he and Connolly had been using drugs inside her home. He allegedly said an argument began after he wanted to have sex and Connolly did not. Dias reportedly claimed that he later fell asleep and woke to find Connolly not breathing.
Brandt said officers observed blood marks on Connolly’s forehead and the back of her head. Police also reported finding what the prosecutor described as a fabric-like cord around her neck. These observations formed part of the information presented in court about how the death may have occurred.
Immigration history becomes part of the case
The Department of Homeland Security identified Dias as an illegal immigrant from Brazil and said he entered the United States unlawfully in April 2019. The department also said he had previous arrests for driving under the influence and aggravated assault.
DHS said an immigration judge granted Dias’ motion to terminate his immigration hearings in October 2024 because of a technicality. The department said that decision ended the immigration case and that Dias was subsequently released into the country under the Biden administration. Those statements concern his immigration status and prior history, separate from the criminal allegations involving Connolly’s death.
Authorities seek continued custody and removal action
Federal officials said Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations are pursuing a detainer in the case. DHS urged the Framingham Police Department to cooperate with a controlled transfer, while emphasizing its broader position that people who enter the country unlawfully and violate criminal laws should be arrested and removed.
The immediate criminal case remains centered on the death investigation, the 911 call and the evidence described by prosecutors. Any immigration removal process would proceed separately from the state or local criminal court proceedings. Further legal decisions will determine how the allegations against Dias are handled.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dias was arrested by federal authorities in connection with Connolly’s death. |
| 2 | Prosecutors said he called 911 and described a homicide after an altercation. |
| 3 | Police reportedly observed head injuries and a cord around Connolly’s neck. |
| 4 | DHS said Dias entered the country unlawfully in 2019 and had prior arrests. |
Summary
The death of Brianna Connolly is under criminal investigation after authorities accused Flavio Alcantara Dias of strangling her in her home. His reported 911 statements and the physical evidence described in court are central to the case. Federal officials are also seeking immigration enforcement action based on their account of Dias’ entry and prior immigration proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Federal authorities arrested Flavio Alcantara Dias, 43, in connection with the death of Brianna Connolly.
What did prosecutors say happened?
Middlesex County prosecutors said Dias and Connolly argued after using drugs, and that Dias later described suffocating or strangling her during a 911 call.
What immigration information did authorities provide?
The Department of Homeland Security said Dias is from Brazil, entered the United States unlawfully in April 2019, had prior arrests and was released after an immigration case was terminated in 2024.