Sofia Murillo, a Colombian influencer with more than 250,000 followers, was killed on August 8 when a Robinson R44 sightseeing helicopter crashed near Vista Chinesa in Rio's Tijuca National Park. Her mother, Wendy Manrique (37), her grandmother, Rocio Cubillos (59), and the pilot, Alessandro Rocha, also died. Rio Civil Police and Cenipa have opened parallel investigations; ANAC confirmed the helicopter's certification was valid. Officials expect a preliminary report in several weeks but warned fire damage may limit data recovery.
Tragedy in Rio: Colombian Influencer Sofia Murillo, Mother and Grandmother Killed in Sightseeing Helicopter Crash
Sofia Murillo
Colombian social media personality Sofia Murillo died on August 8 when a Robinson R44 sightseeing helicopter she had boarded crashed into dense forest near the Vista Chinesa viewpoint in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park. Murillo, her mother Wendy Manrique (37), and her grandmother Rocio Cubillos (59) were all killed. The pilot, Alessandro Rocha, also died; there were no survivors from that first flight.
The helicopter went down at about 11:11 a.m. in an area of thick vegetation in the large urban forest surrounding the city and reportedly burst into flames on impact. The site was difficult to access, and authorities deployed roughly 40 firefighters and 11 vehicles to reach the wreckage.
The family, who traveled from Bogotá to Brazil to celebrate a quinceañera, had purchased a 20-minute panoramic tour of Rio de Janeiro. Because the Robinson R44 seats only three passengers, the six relatives traveling together split into two groups; Sofia, her mother and her grandmother took the first flight.
Waiting at the hangar for the second flight, Sofia's uncle, Victor Manrique, learned of the crash from news coverage. He described the family as close-knit and remembered his niece as hardworking and diligent. 'We were a very happy family,' he told local media. Manrique also said the family had used their vacation savings and a credit card to book the trip.
Investigation Under Way
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. Rio de Janeiro's Civil Police and Cenipa (the Brazilian Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center) have opened parallel inquiries. Cenipa, a unit of the Brazilian Air Force, is leading the technical examination of the wreckage to determine the factors that led to the accident.
Authorities said a preliminary report is expected in several weeks, with a final report likely to take months. Officials warned that fire damage to the aircraft could limit the availability of recorded flight data.
A lawyer for the operator, Voos Rio Panoramico, told reporters the company had not identified a cause but emphasized that the pilot was licensed, permits were valid and scheduled maintenance had been performed. The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) confirmed the helicopter's certificate was current and noted that panoramic flights require specialized technical certification for both aircraft and crew.
In response to the crash, Rio's mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, requested urgent inspections of scenic-flight operators and asked authorities to consider a temporary suspension of aerial tours while the city reviews safety procedures and oversight.
Public Reaction
Murillo had more than 250,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, where she posted makeup tutorials, hair and skincare tips, and product reviews. Her final post, dated August 5, documented a gym workout. Fans and followers posted condolences across her social channels after news of the crash.
The tragedy follows another high-profile helicopter accident in Rio de Janeiro nearly two months earlier that killed singer Oliver Tree and YouTuber Gaspi; authorities have not publicly linked the incidents as investigations continue.
Note: Officials urge that investigative findings be awaited before drawing conclusions about causes or responsibility.
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