A Colombian social media personality with more than 250,000 followers across platforms has died following a helicopter crash in Brazil that killed all four people aboard the aircraft.
Sofia Murillo, 17, perished in the August 8, 2026 accident alongside her mother, Wendy Manrique, and her grandmother, Rocio Cubillos, according to g1. The helicopter pilot, Alessandro Rocha, also died in the crash near Rio de Janeiro.
The tragedy marks the second fatal helicopter incident in the Rio de Janeiro region in recent months. Musician Oliver Tree died in a separate crash southwest of the city less than two months earlier, an accident that resulted in six fatalities when two helicopters collided.
Murillo had built a substantial online presence through beauty product reviews and lifestyle content. Her TikTok account attracted more than 200,000 followers, while her Instagram following approached 50,000. Much of her content focused on cosmetic product evaluations and beauty advice for her audience.
Her final social media post, published August 1, featured content about her fitness routine. The TikTok video has transformed into an informal memorial space where followers have posted tributes to the young influencer.
The circumstances surrounding the crash reveal a family vacation that turned catastrophic. Victor Manrique, Murillo's uncle, told g1 that he was traveling with his wife and 15-year-old daughter alongside Murillo, her mother, and her grandmother when the accident occurred.
The family had arranged for a 20-minute helicopter tour to view the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic landmarks. When Murillo, her mother, and grandmother boarded their flight around 11 a.m. local time, Victor Manrique remained at the hangar with his wife and daughter, planning to take the next available helicopter.
The four-seat helicopter, operated by local tour agency Voo Rio Panorâmico, went down near Vista Chinesa and crashed into a densely wooded area. The impact and subsequent explosion triggered a fire on the wooded hillside where the aircraft came to rest.
Lieutenant Colonel Fábio Contreiras, a fire department spokesperson, told g1 that the recovery operation mobilized significant resources: 40 military vehicles, 11 vehicles, and four operational units participated in the effort.
The challenging terrain complicated rescue and recovery work. In a statement translated from Portuguese to English, Contreiras described the obstacles facing response teams.
"The biggest challenge for the teams right now is access, both to enter and exit the site. The aircraft crashed in a very steep, wooded area with precipitous cliffs, where it is only possible to work using rope techniques and safety equipment," Contreiras said. "When we arrived, in addition to the helicopter, there was also a fire caused by the explosion of the aircraft's fuel. That fire has now been completely extinguished."
The fire department statement continued: "Now, our challenge is to find faster access routes to facilitate the work of the Civil Police and Cenipa forensics teams, as well as the future removal of the bodies. We are working to make this happen as soon as possible, preferably today."
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into what caused the aircraft to go down. CNN Brasil reported that Rio de Janeiro's Civil Police and Brazil's Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center are examining the incident.
A lawyer representing Voo Rio Panorâmico told g1 that the touring company possessed all required permits for conducting flights in the area. The company maintained that the pilot held proper licensing and that aircraft maintenance records were current and complete.
Despite these assurances, Voo Rio Panorâmico's attorney acknowledged that the company has not yet determined what went wrong during what should have been a routine sightseeing flight.
The loss has resonated across social media, where Murillo's followers have expressed grief and shared memories of how her content affected their lives. Comments on her final post reflect the personal connection many felt with the young influencer, with some crediting her beauty tips and advice for boosting their confidence.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
