Murdered Sydney businesswoman, Cecilia Haddad's father has alleged his daughter had become "fearful" of her ex-partner Mario Marcelo Santoro in the lead up to her death.
"She started talking to me a lot over the phone until she felt frightened from his reactions," José Ibrahim Haddad Jr told Brazilian broadcaster Globo's Fantástico program
He says after she ended their relationship, she suspected Mr Santoro still had access to her apartment.
"It was 27th April around 6.30am here, she called me and said 'Dad stay on the line because I'm arriving home and I'm not sure if he has left because he could have made a copy of the keys and he could be inside so please stay on the line.'"
Mr Haddad said she eventually assured him she was not in danger and he hung up.
That was the last time he spoke with his daughter.
The 38-year-old's body was found in Sydney's Lane Cove river in April.
Now, a major development in the investigation into her death is taking shape on the other side of the world.
Brazilian police have arrested Mr Santoro and are expected to charge him over the 38-year-old's alleged murder.
Fabio Cardoso, the Director of the Rio De Janeiro Homicide Squad has alleged that Santoro had arrived in Brazil at the time her body was found.
"We realised that he entered the Galeão International Airport in Rio at 17:33 on the 29th April, which was the same day her body was found in Sydney."
He is currently being held at Rio's homicide headquarters.
It comes a week after Australian police and Interpol issued warrants for the 40-year-old's arrest.
Australian authorities are preparing to fly to Brazil to help with the investigation.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop refused to comment specifically for fear of derailing "sensitive" legal matters.
"The Attorney General is handling this matter and I can assure that we are working closely with the Brazilian government to ensure justice is served and justice is being done and that's what we're seeking to achieve," she said on Monday.
NSW homicide detectives say they are waiting for "international protocols" to be met so they can help "bring a successful conclusion to the investigation."
Santoro's arrest came after immense public pressure directed at Rio police by Ms Haddad's family, friends, media and her famous childhood friend Dani Suzuki.
"Here or in another world, all your actions will have consequences and all justice will be done," Ms Suzuki posted to her million-strong followers on Instagram.
- with AAP
