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A Brazilian influencer has died after falling from the 27th floor of a skyscraper in Dubai.
Kauana Bilhar built up a following on social media through her travel content and modelling, but a police investigation has commenced following her fall from a high-rise.
Local authorities are looking into the circumstances around her death, leaving all possibilities on the table.
The possibility of an accident, suicide, homicide or femicide has not been ruled out, as reported by Brazilian outlet ND Mais.
Following the death of the 27-year-old, who is from Itajaí, on the North Coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, her mother took to social media.
Darla Bilhar spoke to followers after the tragedy, pleading with those online to respect her daughter's memory and the family's mourning.
Darla took to her Instagram account on Thursday (July 9) to speak about the tragic situation, stating that she initially didn't want to speak publicly.
The mom explained that she decided to speak up following the reaction from those online following her daughter's death, including the spreading of comments and information about her daughter, without the family's permission.
Darla asked for Kauana's memory to be respected and remain free of judgment and rumors online as the investigation continues.
Speaking in a video on Instagram yesterday, she said, translated from Portuguese: "It is with my soul in pieces that I come to speak out.
"While I try to find the strength to face the greatest pain a mother can feel, I have to watch my daughter's memory being judged, exposed, and disrespected by people who did not know her story."
She also sent a message to the media, asking that they handle the case properly, adding: "Informing is different from judging. Reporting is different from condemning.
"To all those who are spreading rumors or issuing opinions without knowing the facts, I ask only one thing: have empathy."
Darla also said that she will take legal action against those making false claims about Kauana, explaining: "My daughter deserves respect. She can no longer respond to the accusations, the malicious comments, the stories being created about her.
"Those who truly knew her know the kind of person she was, her dreams, her humanity."
"I will fight with all my strength to defend my daughter's honor," she concluded.
Darla has since travelled to Dubai to both keep up with the investigation and to organise the repatriation of her daughter's body to Brazil.
Kauana recently shared news of her engagement to followers back in June, which was her last post on that Instagram account.
The date of the influencer's death remains unclear.
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TikTok influencer Kubra Aykut has tragically passed away after falling from the fifth floor of a luxury apartment building in Turkey.
The 26-year-old, known globally for her viral 'Wedding without a Groom' videos, was reportedly discovered deceased in Istanbul's Sultanbeyli district last Monday.
According to Turkish media, a suicide note was found near her body. The incident has raised concerns among fans, as the social media star, who had amassed one million TikTok followers and over 200,000 on Instagram, recently shared troubling posts about her struggles.
She wrote: "I've gathered my energy but I can't seem to gain weight. I lose a kilogram every day. I don't know what to do; I urgently need to gain weight."
Aykut reportedly fell from her apartment on Gişe Street in the upscale Hasanpaşa neighborhood.
Authorities have launched an investigation, and her body was taken to a private hospital for an autopsy.
Her remains were later transported to her hometown of Bursa, where she was born and her parents currently reside, for a funeral service attended by friends and family.
Among those present were Turkish influencer Dilan Polat and Enes Çetinkaya, Polat's lawyer, who is believed to have been Aykut's long-time partner.
Fans have been posting heartfelt tributes on Aykut's TikTok page, describing her as "an angel" and someone with "a beautiful heart."
The final video she posted shortly before her death depicted her meticulously cleaning her apartment.
Aykut gained widespread recognition on TikTok after hosting an extravagant solo wedding in 2023.
She wore a beautiful white gown and tiara during the ceremony, in which she humorously "married" herself, stating: "I cannot find a worthy groom for myself."
She drove away in a flower-adorned car, joyfully holding her bouquet out the window and shouting with excitement.
In another clip, she referred to herself as a "nervous bride" as she celebrated by eating a burger on her wedding day.
Her humorous and empowering content quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of followers, making her a prominent social media figure. She successfully leveraged her popularity to build a thriving career.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
A British influencer has died after falling from Spain's highest bridge while attempting to film social media content.
The incident occurred early in the morning on October 13 when the man plunged from the 630ft Castilla-La Mancha Bridge, located in Talavera de la Reina, approximately 90 minutes southwest of Madrid.
Local authorities have confirmed the tragedy, emphasizing that access to the bridge is strictly prohibited, per the Daily Mail.
The unnamed 26-year-old influencer was attempting to climb the bridge when the incident occurred.
A spokesperson for Spain's National Police provided details of the incident, revealing that he was approximately 40 to 50 meters high, around a quarter of the bridge’s total height, when he fell. The cause of his fall remains unclear and will be investigated by the local court.
Both the deceased and a 24-year-old companion, who survived the incident, were climbing the bridge without safety harnesses or protective gear, according to sources close to the investigation.
The alarm was raised by a passing motorist who witnessed the tragedy.
The surviving companion was reported to be in a state of shock at the scene. A source said, via the Sun, that the male survivor was unable to speak at the time. They said he was still clearly shaken but is no longer at the police station and won’t be facing any criminal charges. It’s up to the local town hall to decide if he’ll face any penalties for doing something illegal, added the source.
Investigators are also considering whether recent heavy rains, which could have made the bridge's surfaces more slippery, played a role in the incident.
It is not yet known if the two British men had traveled to Spain specifically for this stunt. They had been using a rental car to get around the area. Spanish police have not disclosed further details regarding the deceased.
The Castilla-La Mancha Bridge has been the site of previous dangerous stunts, with local police reporting other cases of individuals climbing the structure to film for social media.
In one instance last year, two bloggers were reported for climbing the bridge without protection and posting the footage online.
Local councillor Macarena Muñoz confirmed the tragic incident and reiterated that climbing the bridge is strictly prohibited.
A travel influencer has tragically passed away at the age of 28.
Maria Eftimova, a civil engineering student at the University of Salford, fell 65 feet to her death during a mountain climbing expedition on the north ridge of the Tryfan mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, on February 22.
The 28-year-old was scaling the treacherous peak with her friend Anna, and Anna’s father when the traumatic accident occurred.
A nearby team member performed CPR in an attempt to revive her, but she could not be saved, BBC News reported.
Following her passing, Eftimova’s friend, Megan Griffiths, paid tribute to the adventurous influencer, remembering her as a selfless soul.
"Maria was a one-of-a-kind person who lived life to the fullest - not only adventurous and free-spirited but also incredibly kind, intelligent, and selfless," Griffiths told the outlet. "Her tragic loss will be felt by so many, and we are absolutely devastated to lose such a precious friend."
Another friend, Victoria Critchley, also shared heartfelt words about the late woman, which read: "Maria was an ambitious, bright and cherished, whose vibrant personality, energy and aura touched and uplifted all around her.
"She had a passion for engineering, having studied civil engineering at the University of Salford, and a love for extreme sports," she continued. "Her biggest passion being snowboarding, which she was super excited for and looking forward to doing again on her upcoming trip to Austria.
"She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world's beauty. Tragically, she was taken from her family far, far, far too soon," she continued. "Words cannot express the devastation her family and our community are experiencing."
The bereaved friend has launched a fundraising page that has raised £19,318 ($24,000) as of the time of writing.
Standing at 3,010 feet, Tryfan is one of the deadliest mountains in the UK, with its challenging terrain claiming multiple lives over the years.
With no designated footpaths leading to the summit, climbers must rely on their hands and scrambling techniques to make the ascent.
The mountain was once used as a training ground to test oxygen equipment and safety techniques ahead of the historic first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.
Chris Lloyd, chairman of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, has urged hikers to check the weather forecast and ensure they are properly equipped before attempting the climb.
The content creator's horrific death marks the second fatal accident in Eryri National Park within just 10 days, per The New York Post.
Eftimova's family in Bulgaria is now facing significant challenges in bringing her body back home for a proper farewell.
Critchley explained that the fundraiser was set up to ensure the late student receives the dignified farewell she deserves with her loved ones by her side.
Our thoughts are with Eftimova's loved ones at this time.
A British TikTok influencer is facing a possible death sentence after being charged with the murder of her boyfriend in Dubai.
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, was arrested in the early hours of June 22 and has since been charged with premeditated murder, according to advocacy organisation Detained in Dubai.
The social media influencer is accused of fatally stabbing a man she was reportedly in a relationship with after the pair met online.
George has not been convicted of any offence and the case remains under investigation.
According to Detained in Dubai, George claims she acted in self-defence after allegedly being subjected to a violent attack by her boyfriend.
The organisation said the relationship initially appeared positive, with George describing her first trip to Dubai as "the time of my life".
However, during a second visit to the UAE, the advocacy group claims the relationship became increasingly abusive.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said George alleges her boyfriend became "increasingly controlling and abusive" and that she was attempting to leave the country when the incident occurred.
According to Stirling, George claims her passport had been withheld and that she feared for her safety and allegedly claimed that she grabbed a kitchen knife during an altercation after fearing for her life.
The claims have not been independently verified and authorities in Dubai have not publicly commented on the allegations.
George's mother, Thereza George, said she noticed a change in her daughter's behaviour shortly before the incident.
"After Brooke returned to Dubai for the second time, the dynamic between them had clearly changed," she said.
"The day before the incident, she did not seem like herself. She was quieter and not her usual happy, cheerful self."
Thereza also claimed her daughter appeared frightened when she spoke to her following the incident.
"When I spoke to Brooke right after the incident, she was absolutely terrified," she said.
"I have never seen my daughter so frightened in my life."
Detained in Dubai has also alleged that George has not been granted access to legal representation during parts of the investigation and claimed she was forced to make statements without a lawyer present.
The organisation further alleges that George was subjected to degrading treatment while in custody.
Stirling described the case as raising concerns surrounding domestic violence, self-defence claims and the treatment of foreign nationals detained overseas.
The group has called for George to be released on bail while the investigation continues.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing assistance.
"We are in touch with a British woman detained in the UAE, we are supporting her family, and we are in contact with the local authorities," the statement said.
Under UAE law, George could face the death penalty if convicted.
The investigation is ongoing.
A British influencer accused of murder in Dubai is facing the possibility of the death penalty, with supporters claiming a "major red flag" emerged long before the fatal incident.
Brooke George, 23, from Gravesend, Kent, has been charged over the death of 26-year-old British national Bill Treeby. George denies murder and maintains she acted in self-defense after allegedly falling victim to repeated physical abuse.
The former department store employee is being held at Bur Dubai prison while the case proceeds through the UAE legal system. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Human rights organization Detained in Dubai is urging authorities to investigate the case as one involving alleged domestic violence rather than treating George solely as a murder suspect.
Its chief executive, Radha Stirling, said: "She reached for a knife after being attacked and punched in the face. Authorities must treat her as a domestic violence survivor while they investigate."
According to George, she met Treeby through Facebook before the pair travelled together to Dubai. She said their first trip was "the time of my life."
However, she claims his behavior changed dramatically during a second visit.
George alleges he became controlling and abusive, and says she later discovered he had only booked her a one-way ticket to Dubai, leaving her anxious to return home.
She claims that after an evening at McCafferty's Bar in Jumeirah Village, he assaulted her inside a car before the violence continued back at their apartment.
Her family says George phoned them in a state of panic after being punched several times.
They say she managed to arrange a flight back to the UK with help from friends before returning to the apartment, only to collect her passport.
According to her relatives, she was crying and pleading for the document when she was allegedly attacked again.
George says she feared for her life and grabbed a kitchen knife in self-defence.
She was arrested at Dubai Airport during the early hours of June 22 and charged with murder.
Stirling argues the case reflects a broader pattern of women allegedly being lured to Dubai with promises of luxury before experiencing abuse.
"Brooke maintains that she acted only after being subjected to a violent assault and in genuine fear for her safety," she claimed.
"She should be treated not merely as an accused person, but as a presumed victim of violence whose allegations and documented injuries deserve proper investigation."
She added: "We will be working to ensure that her rights are protected, that she receives a fair trial, and that the circumstances leading to this tragedy are fully and impartially examined."
Stirling also claimed there has been an increase in reports involving influencers and young women allegedly being recruited under false pretences.
"International organisations and law enforcement agencies have documented cases in which women were recruited under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation, including trafficking," she said.
"Those closest to Brooke became increasingly concerned that she may have been lured to Dubai under false pretences for the purpose of exploitation."
"We are calling for Brooke to be released on bail pending the outcome of the investigation. The authorities must investigate Brooke's allegations with the same seriousness as the allegation against her."
She also said witnesses reportedly observed visible injuries following the incident.
"Rather than treating Brooke solely as a murder suspect, investigators must also examine her being the victim of serious violence and possible exploitation," Stirling said.
"She should be afforded protection, appropriate medical care, legal representation and immediate British consular assistance while the investigation proceeds."
One detail from George's first visit that has also been highlighted as what Stirling described as a "major red flag."
According to Detained in Dubai, Treeby arranged a professional bikini photoshoot for George during her first trip, despite it not being something she had requested — information that is believed to be a major red flag.
"It's a bit strange to be paying for a professional photographer for her bikini shots – it's not something she wanted or asked for," Stirling said.
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