I thought I'd get heat for suggesting this, from the interview with Canadian TV, she sounded genuinely cut up and upset when questioned about Gatti's death.
But...she has nothing to gain in any way by continuing to try to explain her innocence when she's already been cleared and is now going on about it will raise suspicions about her?
On one side you have The Gatti family, his friends, acquaintances saying "Arturo was the ultimate warrior - he'd never give up" and then you have Amanda Rodrigues, an alleged gold-digging, part-time ex-stripper, so-called shady Brazilian chick who's involved with a cover-up.
Why would any guy, let alone Gatti sign over his will to her and rekindle his marriage vows to her - when all we've heard off The Gatti's side is that they had massive battles and were about the separate?
And her letter in full?
" I have been waiting for all the questions to be answered and all the accusations made against me to be corrected. I always knew that the truth would come out, as to my innocence. I believe in justice, especially the justice of God. It was very hard to stay away from my baby, as well as to see my friends and family suffering from the injustice of humans. I was in shock, and I still have problems believing in this entire nightmare. I still don't know how I will cope from this loss.
Arturo was my life! He was included in all my dreams and goals. I don't know how I can restart my life again. My son and my faith in God are what make me keep going.
The worst accusations came from Arturo's family. Family with whom I have never had any intimacy. Not because I didn't want to or because I didn't like them. This intimacy never existed because my own husband was never "that" close with his own family.
Arturo left home (Montreal) at age 19 to train in the United States. He returned from the U.S. at the age of 36. While living all these years in the U.S., Arturo never had any close relationship with his family. When I heard that they want the custody of my child, I was in shock. I didn't believe it in the beginning. The reason I didn't believe it is because none of them had ever had any relationship with my son. My son knows only four people from his father's family: Arturo's brother Fabricio Gatti, his sister Pina Gatti, his mother and his stepfather. Only Arturo's mom and stepfather showed care and love for my baby. They never bothered to come to my house. I had my son far away from my family. Arturo was the only person who helped me in all aspects with my son. I have never received any visit or help from any member of his family. Arturo's family are not in any condition to take care of my son, neither psychologically nor financially.
Arturo's struggle with depression came at a very young age. He grew up in a very violent home. His father was an alcoholic and a very aggressive man who not only used to hit his mother but the kids as well.… Arturo's brother Fabricio Gatti never had any respect or affection for Arturo or my son. That just makes clear that the only reason they would want the custody of my son would be for financial reasons.
I just want to make it clear that Arturo and I have documents signed by both of us which give my family the custody of my son in case of both of us die. Arturo, more than me, knew that our son would be better off being raised by my family. He would never want Junior to be raised in the same way and environment that he was.
Arturo had a very hard time with drugs and alcohol, and I was the only person who ever helped him in this matter. I checked him in to rehab, and during this time I didn't hear from his family. I just heard from his sister when she picked him up three days before he was supposed to finish his treatments. His family was never involved in any of his problems or struggles. Even after our marriage and the birth of our child, I have not met his other sister and his other brother, which just shows how close he was with his family.
My only problem regarding Arturo and his family, especially his brother Fabricio Gatti, was that he wanted to be supported by my husband. For that, it is more than normal that I, his wife, wouldn't accept the situation.
All the accusations and false statements made about me from anybody or by the media, my lawyer will be taking care of. It obviously upsets me that people that don't even know us make up their own stories and judgments about me. But in the end of the day, I know I have my son, my friends and my family, people that really know me and care for me for the right reason.
I totally agree that his family should ask for another autopsy on Arturo's body. This will only count for my benefit, reassuring my innocence for his family and everyone else who still doesn't believe that I am innocent. I was told that his family wanted to know how my baby is doing. If they really wanted to know, they would have contacted me or anyone from my family.
They have my sister's, my mother's number and my email address. We did not receive any phone calls. While Fabricio Gatti stayed in Brazil, in any moment did he ask to speak with me, to ask me any questions, to find out any details about what happened or to hear my version of the story. Fabricio called my sister once, and the only question he asked my sister was, "Where is Arturo's watch?" What I find very strange is that if it was my sister, I would want to know every little detail about the incident. In his police report, the only thing he mentioned was about my financial life. Everything that came from his family so far was about financial issues.
It is more than normal that my husband had a will done, and that me and my son were the main beneficiaries on that will. His family was me and Junior. Strange would be if in that will he would have included another woman or his brothers, for instance. I was his wife, not his girlfriend. I never heard of any father that has a family putting brothers and sisters as beneficiaries. What really bothers Arturo's family is not the fact that he is not here anymore, or the reason why he is not here. It's the simple fact that they are not included in the will. I know that even after the private autopsy, when it is proven for the second time that I did not do any harm to my husband, they will still be against me, claiming and fighting in the expectation of receiving anything regarding Arturo's estate.
I also want to make clear that Arturo's daughter, Sofia Bella Gatti, has her future guaranteed. Arturo would never let anything miss for his daughter. The will explains with details what she gets. Sofia Bella Gatti owns two accounts — one for her college fund, and another as her trust account. Regarding Arturo not being present in Sofia's life, that has nothing to do with me. The problems that he had with Sofia's family started way before I met him. Arturo was supervised and monitored during all the visits that he made to his daughter. As a dad, he felt uncomfortable with that situation. This issue and other problems that he had with his daughter's mother changed his behaviour toward his daughter. Obviously he loved her, but he had to deal with a lot of drama to see Sofia. I have documents for attorneys that can prove what I am stating. Also, Arturo did want to have more contact and a closer relationship with his daughter. Everyone that doesn't know the story and even some that do know just find it convenient and easier to blame me for all the problems, but the reality is very different. I never asked Arturo or his family members (who also had no contact with his daughter) to stop seeing his daughter, because before anything I am still a mother.
It has been very hard to wake up every day, knowing that my husband is no longer here with me. It comes down to the point that nobody knows my pain, unless you go through the same nightmare that I did. Nobody knows what it feels like be accused of the death of a loved one. Worst than that, I didn't even have the chance to go to my husband's funeral.
For the friends and family that really care, here is some news of Junior. Even though he is little, I know that he misses his father a lot. Arturo was very present in Junior's life. He never missed one day of Junior's life. Even when he was away, Arturo would talk to him on the phone, and Junior would just listen and scream on the other side of the phone. Junior's first word was "papa" and he still keeps saying "papa" every single day. I am sure he will miss his father forever, but around great people that love him for the right reasons he will be fine. He has unconditional affection, love and care around my family and I. It has been an unexplainable pain for both Junior and I. We want to thank every single person that has been praying for us.
We know that the truth would come out because our GOD is faithful. (Psalm 35).
Amanda Rodrigues"
If the 2nd autopsy comes back as 'suicide' confirmation - she's obviously in the clear...if not, then f!cuk knows...