Girl held hostage by boyfriend dies

A Brazilian teenager has been declared brain dead after being held hostage for four days and then shot by her ex-boyfriend, doctors said .

In a case that shocked the country, police say Lindemberg Fernandes Alves kidnapped Eloa Cristina Pimentel, 15, and her friend last week and held them in an apartment on the outskirts of Sao Paulo after the end of a two-year relationship.

Police stormed the apartment yesterday after hearing gun shots.

Pimentel was severely wounded in the head and groin and her friend, Nayara Rodrigues da Silva, 15, was wounded in the face. Da Silva is still in hospital but out of danger.

Police said Alves, 22, was now in custody and accused of firing the shots.

Da Silva had been freed on Tuesday but returned on Thursday as part of negotiations with Alves. The police have come under criticism for the move.