A lady is in custody after being accused of killing her husband and putting his body in a freezer.

The 40-year-old Claudia Tavares Hoeckler is accused of killing her husband Valdemir Hoeckler, whom she claimed had mistreated her for years.

After Hoeckler allegedly turned herself in at a police station on November 21, her body was discovered at their home freezer in Lacerdopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Legal records state that after her husband passed away, the woman attempted to flee for a week before reporting the incident to authorities on November 13 of this month.

Hoeckler and a number of attorneys arrived at the police station.

Local media report that she told police she had suffered years of physical, sexual, and mental abuse from her husband during their 23 years together.

Police formally arrested Hoeckler and, according to local media, she gave a statement. Investigators have declared the killing a murder case and say the victim was killed by a blow to the back of his head.

The judge overseeing the case reportedly said: “The temporary segregation of the defendant, at this time, will also allow for a better elucidation of the facts, as it will prevent the defendant from creating embarrassments for the investigation of the criminal case, especially to clarify the reasons and circumstances of the crime and the possible participation of third parties.”

Hoeckler has been placed under temporary arrest, which can last up to 30 days, while the investigation is carried out.

Her husband’s disappearance was noticed by colleagues and family on November 14 when he failed to show up for work, but it was another five days before his body was discovered.

Hoeckler reportedly consented to the search but then disappeared until she turned herself in.

The suspect – who also had bruises and signs of violence in her body – told police her husband had frequently threatened to kill her.

She is quoted in local media saying: “He wouldn’t let me do anything, I just didn’t have a life of my own. I couldn’t go out with friends.

“I was going to the salon to get my hair done and I had to leave with wet hair because he was bugging me for taking so long.

“I had to race against time, my life has always been under pressure.”

The investigation is ongoing.