By Isaac Mission
A family holiday in Brazil has ended in tragedy after 17-year-old Colombian beauty influencer Sofia Murillo died alongside her mother and grandmother in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro.
Murillo, who had built a sizeable following on Instagram and TikTok through beauty-related content, was reportedly on a sightseeing flight with her mother, Wendy Manrique, and grandmother, Rocio Cubillos, when the aircraft crashed on Saturday.
The family had reportedly booked a short scenic helicopter trip to see some of Rio de Janeiro’s famous landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Family split into two groups
According to reports, the helicopter could accommodate only three passengers at a time. As a result, Sofia, her mother and grandmother took the first flight, while her uncle, his wife and their teenage daughter remained at the helipad waiting for another turn.
The aircraft, piloted by Alessandro Rocha, reportedly crashed into a heavily wooded area shortly after take-off and caught fire.
All four occupants of the helicopter, including the pilot, were killed in the incident.
Reports said Sofia’s uncle and the other relatives waiting at the departure point learned about the crash through news reports while they were still at the hangar.
Investigation underway
The helicopter operator reportedly said the aircraft had undergone the required maintenance and that the company possessed the necessary operating permits. The pilot was also said to have been properly licensed.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
There have also been claims on social media that a warning about strong winds had been issued in the area before the flight. However, the circumstances surrounding the claim and whether weather conditions contributed to the crash remain subject to official investigation.
Fans mourn young influencer
Sofia had reportedly amassed more than 250,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, where she shared beauty advice, cosmetic reviews and other lifestyle content.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from followers and social media users, many of whom expressed shock over the loss of the teenager and her family members.
The tragedy has particularly drawn attention because three generations of the same family were among those killed in the crash.
Sofia's last social media post was reportedly published three days before the incident.
The investigation into the helicopter crash is ongoing, with authorities expected to determine what caused the aircraft to go down and whether weather, mechanical or other factors played a role.
