The passing of Ana Clara Benevides, a devoted Taylor Swift fan, during the Rio de Janeiro concert on November 17, has left a community in mourning. In this report, we delve into the forensic findings that reveal the cause of her tragic death, shedding light on the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking incident.
A forensics report obtained by The Associated Press has disclosed that Ana Clara Benevides, aged 23, succumbed to heat exhaustion during Taylor Swift's concert in Rio de Janeiro. The incident occurred during Swift's second song, 'Cruel Summer,' and Ana Clara passed away at a local hospital hours later. The temperatures in the city that day soared to approximately 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit).
Allegations surfaced as fans, who had lined up for hours, accused organizers of inadequate water supplies for the more than 60,000 attendees at the Nilton Santos Stadium. Fans claimed they were not permitted to bring their own water into the venue. However, the forensic report from Rio's Forensic Medical Institute clarified that Benevides' cause of death was heat exposure, leading to a cardiorrespiratory arrest. The report also indicated that she had no preexisting conditions or substance abuse contributing to her tragic end.
The expert who analyzed Benevides' body stated in the document that she suffered from a 'serious compromise of her lungs and sudden death' due to the extreme heat conditions.
Organizers T4F responded to the allegations, asserting that they followed best practices, complied with authorities' demands, and distributed thousands of water bottles to fans. T4F denied claims of restricting fans from bringing their own water. The office of Rio's public prosecutor has initiated a criminal investigation, and Rio police announced that representatives of the organizing company will be called to testify after analyzing the forensics report.
Ana Clara Benevides' death deeply impacted Brazil, as she had taken her first flight to attend her favorite singer's concert. Taylor Swift expressed her grief on Instagram, mentioning that the incident left her with a 'shattered heart.' Benevides' father, José Weiny Machado, emphasized his belief that the cause of death was indeed the extreme heat.