‘Human Barbie’ Influencer Bárbara Jankavski’s Cause of Death Revealed but Questions Remain

03 December 2025

The tragic death of Brazilian social-media star Bárbara Jankavski better known to her followers as “Human Barbie” has been formally ruled an accidental overdose, but the disturbing circumstances surrounding the case have left her family and many in the public demanding deeper scrutiny.

The 31-year-old influencer was found unresponsive on November 2 in the home of a 51-year-old public defender, Renato Campos Pinto de Vitto, who told authorities that he had hired Jankavski for sexual services and that both had used cocaine that evening. He claimed he attempted CPR for nine minutes before calling emergency services.

After a forensic analysis conducted by the Technical-Scientific Police and an investigation by the São Paulo Civil Police, officials concluded that Jankavski had died from accidental cocaine use.

Still, the ruling has not eased concerns. Authorities found her body in her underwear, with a mark near her left eye and bruises on her back injuries which a friend said may have come from an earlier fall, but which have fueled speculation about whether foul play could have been involved.

Now both the State Prosecutor’s Office in São Paulo and Jankavski’s family are calling for the case to go before a jury court. They argue that this tragic outcome deserves a more thorough legal review.

Jankavski had risen to prominence online by documenting her transformation through about 27 cosmetic surgeries. Under the moniker “Boneca Desumana,” roughly translated as Inhuman Doll, she built a following of more than 55,000 on Instagram and 344,000 on TikTok. Her content showcased extreme beauty enhancements, but also drew attention to the personal and physical costs of chasing an ideal.

Her last social-media post came on October 1 just weeks before the night she died making her death all the more shocking to fans and followers. In the wake of the announcement, mournful tributes flooded her pages. “Wow, when I saw it was her I couldn’t believe it,” wrote one follower. “Rest in peace my love.” Another added, “Rest in peace diva, you lived a bit of the life that I always wanted.”

The case has now become more than just the story of an influencer’s lifestyle. It draws attention to the hidden dangers behind the glamour, the pressures of appearance, the risks tied to cosmetic enhancement, and the social vulnerabilities that online fame can mask. It also underscores broader concerns about safety, consent, and accountability when illicit substances and sex work intersect under conditions that can quickly become deadly.

Whether the new legal review will unearth evidence of foul play or conclude the death was a tragic accident remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Jankavski’s story stands as a sobering example of the real-life stakes behind digital personas built on transformation and spectacle.