Prosecutors seek to exhume the body of “Human Barbie” influencer Barbara Jankavski as suspicions of foul play grow

13 December 2025

Brazilian authorities have taken a dramatic and unsettling step in the investigation into the death of influencer Barbara Jankavski, widely known as “Human Barbie,” by formally requesting that her body be exhumed for further forensic analysis to determine whether her death was a homicide rather than an accidental overdose. Jankavski, 31, who documented her extensive cosmetic surgery journey to her more than 55,000 Instagram followers, was found dead on November 2, 2025 inside the home of a São Paulo public defender, Renato Campos Pinto de Vitto, a discovery that at the time prompted questions but was initially recorded as a drug-related accidental death. Brazilian prosecutors and the São Paulo Court of Justice have since shifted the case to the Homicide and Personal Protection Department amid growing suspicions raised by both investigators and Jankavski’s family that her demise may have involved foul play.

The new turn in the case stems from evidence that prosecutors say was not fully explored in the initial investigation, including unusual injuries on Jankavski’s body, such as a bruised eye and marks on her back, which have led experts to question whether she may have been asphyxiated or otherwise harmed prior to her death. Those concerns, paired with the context in which her body was discovered, have prompted authorities to seek permission to exhume her remains. This would allow forensic teams to conduct further tests, including X-rays to search for signs of strangulation and DNA analysis from under her fingernails that could indicate a struggle or defensive wounds. No formal approval has yet been granted by the court, but the request marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings surrounding her death.

The circumstances of Jankavski’s final hours remain murky. According to public records and court filings, she was discovered unresponsive at the residence of the attorney, who told police that he had hired her for paid services and that the pair used illicit substances together. When she became unresponsive, he called emergency services and attempted resuscitation. Law enforcement initially accepted his account and the preliminary forensic analysis, which concluded her death was due to cocaine intoxication. However, as more details emerged, including the visible injuries on her body and the absence of a definitive toxicology report that conclusively explained the bruising, prosecutors and Jankavski’s relatives began to challenge the accidental overdose determination.

The move to possibly exhume Jankavski’s body underscores the influence that public pressure and family advocacy can have on high-profile cases, especially when the person’s life was lived, at least in part, in the public eye. As an influencer, Jankavski chronicled her experiences with cosmetic modifications, peeling back the curtain on the lengths to which some social media personalities go in pursuit of a particular aesthetic or persona. Her sudden death drew immediate attention from fans and media alike, and when initial reports surfaced that the cause of death was accidental drug use, reactions were mixed, with some followers expressing disbelief and others simply offering condolences.

In Brazil and elsewhere, influencer culture can elevate everyday individuals to fame seemingly overnight. People who build careers through social platforms often share personal highs and lows with their audiences, forging deep connections with followers who feel they know them intimately even without ever meeting in person. Jankavski’s online presence was rooted in her transformation and self-expression, and her untimely death became a topic of intense speculation and debate in part because so many felt they had watched her evolve over time. That emotional investment may be one reason why her family’s calls for a more thorough investigation have resonated with the public and with authorities.

The request to exhume her body and reframe the inquiry as a potential homicide investigation reflects broader anxieties about untimely deaths in celebrity and influencer communities that initially appear to have straightforward causes. In many such cases worldwide, from accidental overdoses to domestic accidents, questions linger about whether all relevant evidence was properly examined. Prosecutors appear determined to leave no stone unturned in Jankavski’s case, pursuing additional forensic clarity that could either confirm or dispel suspicions of foul play.

For Jankavski’s family, the stakes are deeply personal. They have expressed concerns about the initial handling of her death and believe that she was the victim of wrongdoing rather than an accident. Their push for exhumation and further investigation reflects a desire not only for accountability but for answers that they feel were insufficiently addressed in the early stages of the case. A favorable ruling from the court would open the door to a second round of comprehensive forensic examination, potentially revealing new details that could reshape public understanding of what happened in Jankavski’s final moments.

As the legal process unfolds, authorities will continue to weigh the evidence and decide whether to allow the requested exhumation. Should it be authorized, experts will comb through physical traces that may have been overlooked or dismissed at first, with findings that could prove pivotal in determining whether Jankavski’s death was a tragic accident or something far more sinister. Until then, the case remains a stark reminder of how complex and fraught investigations can become when public figures are involved and when initial conclusions are subject to intense question and scrutiny.