Influencer and her teenage daughter discovered dead after neighbors report strange odor

14 October 2025

Lidiane Aline Lorenço; her daughter Miana Sophya Santos. Credit : Lidiane Lorenco/Instagram (2)

Early on October 10 authorities in Rio de Janeiro responded to neighbors’ complaints of a foul smell emanating from an apartment in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood. Upon forced entry, they found the bodies of Lidiane Aline Lorenço, a 33-year-old influencer and medical student, and her 15-year-old daughter Miana Sophya Santos in separate rooms Miana in the living room and her mother in a bedroom.

Lorenço was known online, with over 54,000 followers on Instagram, and had been pursuing medical studies in Rio. She originally hailed from Santa Cecília in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, and records suggest she moved to Rio more than five years ago. Her daughter had recently joined her in the apartment, and neighbors say the two had not been seen or heard from in about five days before the discovery.

At the scene, forensic investigators reported no obvious signs of violence or forced entry into the apartment. Initial autopsies were inconclusive, and officials have said further toxicology, histology, and environmental tests will be needed to determine the cause of death. The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro confirmed they are leading the ongoing investigation and have yet to issue definitive findings.

Friends and followers expressed shock at the news. Many remembered Lorenço as a bright, ambitious woman balancing modeling, social media presence, and medical studies. In her social media posts, she often shared moments of everyday life, medical study snapshots, and parenting reflections. The juxtaposition of life documented online and this tragic outcome has sparked discussion about pressure, privacy, and what gets hidden behind public persona.

Her funeral was held October 12 in her hometown of Santa Cecília, where family, friends, and community members gathered to mourn both mother and daughter. The dual burial underscored the sense of collective grief; many remarked on how unusual it is for both a parent and child to pass at the same time under unclear circumstances.

In the wake of the discovery, speculation has circulated about possible causes. Some observers have wondered whether environmental factors such as gas leaks or shared contamination—might have played a role given the absence of external violence. Others have raised the possibility of poisoning, accidental overdose, or natural causes exacerbated by hidden health issues. But authorities caution that no hypothesis has been confirmed.

Meanwhile, online communities have rallied. Followers, fellow influencers, and residents of Santa Cecília and Rio have posted tributes, messages of solidarity, and reminders of how fragile life can be behind curated feeds. Some have called for the investigation to be transparent; others emphasize that real human tragedy lies beyond likes or reposts.

Older posts from Lorenço show a woman juggling multiple identities—student, creative, mother—and often appearing to embrace both vulnerability and ambition. In some posts she described loneliness, mental strain, and the challenges of balancing studies with motherhood; in others she shared joy over small milestones or tender moments with Miana. Many fans now revisit those posts with new weight.

For legal observers, this case raises questions about how death investigations intersect with public life. When public figures or influencers die under ambiguous circumstances, demand for answers intensifies and public expectations clash with procedural limitations. Investigators must navigate privacy concerns, forensic rigor, and public pressure all at once.

At this time, police continue canvassing the building for surveillance footage, interviewing neighbors and building staff, examining utilities, and collecting samples from the apartment environment. They are also monitoring social media records, hospital admissions, and possible medical history. No suspects have been named.

This tragedy is not only about two lives lost but also about the fragility behind the frames we share. The narrative is still unfolding, and many questions remain: what silences grew in those final days, what clues might prove decisive, and what weight will the world place on a case that began with a smell.