Early Sunday morning, motorists along BR-376 near the municipality of Tibagi encountered a grisly scene when officers from the Federal Highway Police (PRF) came upon a severed human head resting on the highway’s shoulder. The discovery, made at kilometer marker 423, has left local authorities and residents alike searching for answers in what appears to be a chilling and isolated act of violence.
According to the PRF’s preliminary report, the head was located just off the southbound lane, positioned conspicuously on the asphalt shoulder. No other body parts or obvious clues were found at the scene. The Forensic Medical Institute (IML) of Telêmaco Borba was dispatched shortly thereafter to conduct an initial assessment, collect the remains, and transport them to the institute for identification and autopsy.
Forensic Examination Underway
While the IML has not yet released detailed findings, early indications suggest the victim is a male, though his age and identity remain unknown. Forensic experts will use dental records, DNA sampling, and any personal effects recovered alongside the remains to establish a positive identification. Until the autopsy results are finalized, both the PRF and the IML are refraining from speculation regarding the cause of death or motives behind this disturbing incident.
Investigative Efforts
Local law enforcement agencies have launched a joint investigation to piece together the circumstances leading up to the head’s abandonment on one of Paraná’s busiest stretches of highway. Investigators are reviewing traffic camera footage from the vicinity, interviewing early-morning motorists and nearby residents, and canvassing for any witnesses who may have observed suspicious activity in the hours before the discovery. Police are also reaching out to hospitals and missing-persons registries to determine if there are any matches to the unidentified individual.
State highway authorities have temporarily reduced speed limits and increased patrols in the area while the investigation remains active. The discovery has prompted calls for improved surveillance and lighting along remote sections of BR-376, which connects the southern and northern regions of Paraná state. Community leaders in Tibagi and neighboring towns are urging motorists to remain vigilant, report any anomalous findings immediately, and assist law enforcement with any information that could shed light on the tragedy.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
“This is an unprecedented event for our region,” said Captain Matheus Ribeiro of the PRF’s Tibagi sub-detachment. “Our officers are fully committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring that whoever is responsible is brought to justice. We ask anyone who may have seen something out of the ordinary late Saturday night or early Sunday morning to come forward.”
Residents have expressed both shock and sadness at the news. “It’s horrifying,” remarked one local business owner. “We use this road every day. To think that something like this could happen so close is deeply unsettling.”
As the investigation unfolds, the PRF and IML continue their forensic work and evidence-gathering efforts. Authorities have promised to provide public updates as soon as substantial developments emerge. In the meantime, Tibagi’s driver community and the broader Paraná population await the answers they so urgently need, united in the hope that clarity and closure will come swiftly to this unsettling case.