An eight-month pregnant mother has been killed after her baby was cut off her womb in a horrific attack at her home.

21-year-old Pamella Ferreira Andrade Martins was found dead in her home in the coastal town of Macae, Rio de Janeiro state, on Wednesday afternoon.

A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the victim was found inside a locked bathroom and the door had to be broken down.

The victim was discovered laid on the floor butchered, with her belly ripped open and her unborn baby missing.

A 22-year-old woman, who was not named, was arrested shortly after Martins’ body was discovered when she was admitted to hospital after checking into a nearby A&E carrying the dead baby.

Staff at the hospital said that the woman claimed that she had given birth to the baby boy herself but had fallen down the stairs with him.

However, tests reveal that the woman had not been pregnant, and authorities found a knife and a penknife in her belongings

According to the police, the suspect was pretending to be pregnant and was spotted with the victim the day before the crime.

The victim’s relatives added that the suspect was desperate to have a child said she “would get herself a child whatever it takes.”

However, they never thought that the suspect was capable of committing such a crime.

The authorities are investigating the case and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death of the child.

It is unclear if the suspect remains in custody after the police questioned her last night.

Martins left behind a husband and a two-year-old son.