A Brazilian police investigation has determined that the death of boxer Arturo Gatti was a suicide and a court has ordered the release of his wife, who was once suspected of killing him.

RIO DE JANEIRO—Police investigating the death of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti are working on the assumption his wife strangled him with her purse strap while he drunkenly slept. The woman’s lawyer, however, insists she is innocent and was too “fragile” to kill a boxer. Lead investigator Moises Teixeira told The Associated Press yesterday nothing is being ruled out but he is certain the woman acted by herself.

SAO PAULO—Brazilian authorities detained the wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti and formally accused her yesterday of killing him at a posh seaside tourist resort in Brazil. Police said Amanda Rodrigues, 23, was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation and presented a formal accusation against her. Prosecutors later will decide whether she will be charged.

Former boxing champion Arturo Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, was found dead in a hotel room in the posh seaside resort of Porto de Galihnas early Saturday. Police investigator Edilson Alves told The Associated Press that the body of the former junior welterweight champ was discovered in his room at the tourist resort, where Mr. Gatti had arrived Friday with his Brazilian wife, Amanda, and 1-year-old son. Alves said police were investigating and it was unclear how the 37-year-old Canadian died.