A 17-year-old beauty influencer, Sofia Murillo, her mother Wendy Manrique, and her grandmother Rocio Cubillos died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, according to Legit.ng. The helicopter went down in a remote, densely wooded area and burst into flames shortly after take-off, killing all four people on board, including the pilot.
Family's Dream Holiday Turns Tragic
The Colombian family had booked a 20-minute scenic flight over the city to view the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Because the aircraft could only carry three passengers at a time, the group split up. Sofia, her mother, and grandmother took the first flight at around 11 a.m., while her uncle, his wife, and their 15-year-old daughter stayed behind at the hangar to await the next trip.
Pilot Alessandro Rocha was also aboard the doomed aircraft. The helicopter went down in a remote, densely wooded area and burst into flames, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. All four people on board were killed.
Family Learns of Crash from News Reports
Sofia's uncle said the family discovered what had happened not through an official notification, but from news reports while they were still waiting at the hangar. The tragic news came as a shock, as they had been expecting to board the next flight.
The tour operator defended its safety record, maintaining that the helicopter's maintenance was up to date, that the business held the required operating permit, and that the pilot was properly licensed. The crash is still under investigation.
Social Media Reactions and Safety Concerns
One commenter on social media claimed that civil defence authorities had issued a warning about strong winds in Rio before the flight departed. This raised questions about whether the flight should have proceeded under such conditions.
Fans and followers expressed their grief and concerns online. @peekaboopixie commented: "3 generations. I wonder if the pilot had a medical emergency? My prayers are with the families." @josenxx4 wrote: "Moral of the story no more helicopter rides in Brazil ??" @khiii_baby reacted: "All these plane/ helicopter crashes."
Others referenced previous helicopter tragedies, with @mayavamp saying: "I could never ride a helicopter after Kobe died" and @scaccia.joshua sharing: "This is why I'm never riding in a helicopter how many ppl are gonna keep dying in these helicopters?" @sh1fted_standards wrote: "When yall gonna learn to stop playin with helicopters. Ain't been in one since Kobe."
@prix_marx_bacc added: "It was here in Rio ?? There was a Civil Defense warning about strong winds before the flight, yet the pilot went ahead anyway."
Sofia's Legacy and Online Presence
Sofia had built a following of more than 250,000 across Instagram and TikTok, where she regularly shared beauty tips and cosmetic reviews with her audience. Her last post went live three days before the crash, and fans have been paying tribute to her online.
The tragedy also drew comparisons to the death of musician Oliver Tree, who died in a separate helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro less than two months earlier. This has led to increased scrutiny of helicopter safety in the region.
Investigation Ongoing
The crash remains under investigation, with authorities looking into the cause of the incident. The tour operator has stated that all safety protocols were followed, but questions remain about the weather conditions at the time of the flight.
This heartbreaking event has highlighted the risks associated with helicopter tours, and many are calling for stricter safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
