World3 min(s) read
Published 13:26 20 Apr 2026 GMT
A young traveler’s final moments have come into full focus after a tragic incident in Indonesia, where a haunting image captured her shortly before she fell to her death.
Juliana Marins, 26, had set off on an exciting South East Asia adventure, but that enthusiasm for immersing herself in worldly experiences ultimately ended in horror when she slipped nearly 1,000 feet while climbing Mount Rinjani during a guided trek in June 2025.
The Brazilian publicist and pole dancer slipped and fell into the volcanic crater, taking search and rescue teams four days to recover her body.
Before her trip, Juliana had sent an emotional message to her mother that has since resurfaced. In it, she wrote: “Mami, I love you so much. I was heartbroken when we said goodbye.”
She added: “In fact, that's the only thing that worries me: letting you, papi or my sister be disappointed. Other than that, I'm not afraid of much, much less trouble.”
Juliana described herself as fearless, crediting her upbringing: “I was raised by a woman who can solve any problem and who is not afraid to take the plunge and go after her dreams.
“I am like that too. I have different desires and dreams. I love you all very much! And I will always be grateful for all the support, care and affection. That is what makes me fearless.”
According to local authorities, Juliana had stopped to rest after becoming exhausted while ascending the volcano, but the tour guide continued ahead with the rest of the group. By the time he returned, she had fallen to her death, per the Daily Star.
Her family has strongly criticized how the situation was handled, calling the rescue effort “botched” and accusing the guide of abandoning her. Her sister said: “Juliana was in this group, but she got very tired and asked to stop for a while. They kept going, and the guide didn't stay with her.”
Despite the fall, there were signs she initially survived. In the days before her body was recovered, she was reportedly heard screaming, and drone footage captured her still alive inside the crater.
An autopsy carried out in Bali concluded that she died from “trauma,” with severe internal injuries and fractures. The coroner suggested she likely survived no more than 20 minutes after sustaining the fatal injuries, though the exact timeline remains unclear.
A volunteer rescuer later revealed that his team stayed overnight near where she was found, perched on the edge of a steep cliff.
Juliana had been traveling across Asia, visiting countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand before arriving in Indonesia.
Her death has drawn international attention, with Brazil’s Foreign Ministry describing it as a tragedy and confirming that its embassy in Jakarta assisted with the rescue efforts.
The volcano, which rises 3,726 meters, attracts thousands of hikers every year, but it has also been the site of several fatal accidents in recent times, including last month, when a Malaysian national died.
