Female powerlifting champion and influencer Rhayara Morais, 34, is found dead at her home in Brazil
- The athlete and law student is said to have died due to a sudden illness
Police are investigating the death of a powerlifting champion and prominent influencer after she was found lifeless in her bed at her home in Brazil
Rhayara Morais, 34, was found in an apartment in Aguas Claras in the country’s Federal District, when a concerned friend reported she could not reach her.
Morais’ body is believed to have lain undiscovered for about six days before the gruesome discovery on Wednesday, March 27.
Police have not yet confirmed the cause of death or whether there was any criminal involvement. It is speculated that she died of a sudden illness.
The results of the autopsy, which was expected to take place yesterday, have not been made public.
Morais was found lifeless in her bed after a friend reported being unable to contact her
The influencer, who had more than half a million fans on TikTok and nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram, won a regional powerlifting title after taking up the sport about two years ago.
Morais, a former women’s soccer player and law student, showed off her workout routines and refined body online, where she described herself as a digital creator and “Brasilia Powerlifting Champion.”
She also had her own website where she posted her impressive curriculum. Her sponsors included a nutrition company and a company that produced high-quality training supplements.
Morais was also involved in journalism and worked for the websites Esporte Candango and Rádio Redentor.
No information has yet been made public by officials on a possible cause of death, although so far there have been no local reports suggesting it is related to crime.
The case is being handled by the 21st Police Station (Taguatinga Sul) and experts from the Institute of Criminalistics (IC) have been called in to conduct an investigation of the body.
Social media followers have suggested she died in her sleep from a sudden illness.
Raquel Santos, a friend of Morais, said on social media: “I thank God that I had the honor and pleasure of calling you my friend.
‘The longing hurts, but now you are in heaven. Know that you were deeply loved and that you will leave a legacy of love.”
A neighbor of the apartment complex where Rhayara lived said in a late-night tribute: ‘I met her every day here in the flat and I am shocked.
‘A polite and extremely cheerful person.’
Another said: ‘I can’t believe it. I often met her in the elevator and she was always very nice.’
One of her Instagram followers wrote: ‘I can’t believe this sad and sudden news. Rest in peace beautiful girl. God will receive you in heaven.’
Last October, a former bodybuilding champion was shot dead by two gunmen while training at a gym in the city of Botocatu, 150 miles southeast of São Paulo.
Brazilian Eustacio Batista Dias, 27, was executed after he tried to escape his killers when they started shooting at him while he was talking to another man between exercises.
The horror moment when he was killed was filmed on CCTV.
An unconfirmed local report at the time said the killers may have been able to confirm their victim’s whereabouts through photos and a video he posted as Instagram Stories shortly before he was executed, showing him weight training.
In addition to her studies, the powerlifting champion worked as a model, influencer and journalist
No information has yet been made public by officials about a possible cause of death, although so far there have been no local reports suggesting it is related to crime.
Earlier this month, a bodybuilder who showed off his demanding fitness routines to more than 50,000 followers on Instagram was shot dead outside his home in Vila Matilde, one of 96 districts in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.
Muscular Denis Yoshio, who was dating a beautiful model, was shot by two men who fled on a motorcycle.
The 32-year-old’s brother put him in his car and tried to rush him to hospital before being assisted along the way by firefighters who helped transfer him to an ambulance.
The gunshot victim reportedly went into cardiac arrest after reaching the hospital.
One of the bullets that killed him hit his spine.