Brazilian influencer, known as ‘Human Barbie’ for her 27 cosmetic surgeries, found dead

A Brazilian social media influencer who underwent dozens of cosmetic procedures to resemble a Barbie doll was found dead in a Sao Paulo townhouse on Nov 2.

Ms Barbara Jankavski, 31, was found wearing only her underwear, with an injury to her left eye and marks on her back, the authorities said on Nov 5.

Better known by her online moniker Boneca Desumana (Inhuman Doll), she had more than 400,000 followers across social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

She had documented 27 cosmetic surgeries in her bid to achieve a doll-like appearance, which also earned her the nickname “Human Barbie”.

According to news reports, emergency responders were called to the home but were unable to revive her.

CNN Brazil, citing a police statement, reported on Nov 5 that a 51-year-old public defender identified as Renato Campos Pinto de Vitto told investigators he had hired Ms Jankavski for sexual services on the day of her death and that the pair had taken illicit substances together.

He told police he realised she was not moving only after she had fallen asleep.

A friend of his told police that Ms Jankavski had suffered her eye and back injuries in a fall earlier that day.

The local police, who are treating her death as suspicious, have ordered an autopsy and toxicology testing to determine the cause of death.

Ms Jankavski had drawn attention online after sharing videos discussing her surgical procedures, such as a facelift to reduce sagging from weight loss.

In September, she posted a clip showing darkened and bloodshot eyes following a recent operation, joking that the scarring was “almost invisible”.

Checks by The Straits Times found that Ms Jankavski had been posting regularly on Instagram before her uploads declined sharply in October. Her final Instagram post was on Oct 1.

Messages of condolence have since appeared on her social media pages.

Instagram user cintia_nogarolli wrote: “Folks, I just saw it on TikTok and came to check if it was her. It is so sad. I really liked her content. May you rest in peace.”

Another user, ally_crf, said: “Rest in peace. You lived a bit of the life that I always wanted, that comforts us a little.”

Investigations into Ms Jankavski’s death are ongoing.

In the past month, at least two other influencers have been found dead.

Brazilian fitness content creator Fernanda Oliveira da Silva, known online as Fernanda Maroca, was found dead at her home in Lago Verde, Brazil, in late October.

Separately, Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh was

initially reported to have died of a sudden heart attack.

Her death, however, has since been classified as murder.

The 31-year-old’s body was found on Oct 22. She had been in Malaysia to work on a video project with rapper

Namewee, who has been detained in Kuala Lumpur

as part of ongoing investigations.