Five household helpers have confessed to killing a German woman who was missing for 11 days, Brazilian police said Friday, according to dpa. The partially charred body of 38-year-old Alessandra Schleifer was found buried on her ranch in Cachoeiras de Macacu, about 100 kilometres northeast of Rio de Janeiro. The body of another woman, apparently Schleiffer's friend, was also found. The five household helpers - aged between 18 and 29 - said they murdered Schleiffer because she abused and often humiliated them. Schleifer was repeatedly accused of shooting at hikers who approached her ranch, where she has lived for eight years. She has also been accused of shooting a neighbour's cow. The charred wreckage of Schleiffer's car was found in Rio de Janeiro province following her initial disappearance.
