The tragic death of 21-year-old Brazilian fitness enthusiast Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas has continued to spark widespread discussion online, but family members are now pushing back against what they describe as false claims circulating on social media.

Maria died after falling nearly 40 meters during a rope-jumping activity in Brazil when, according to investigators, she was launched from a bridge without a safety rope attached. The shocking incident quickly drew international attention and led to an outpouring of tributes.

Relatives Speak Out Against Online Rumors

In a video shared on Instagram, two men identified as Juan Rodrigues and Kaua claimed to be Maria’s brother and cousin and said they felt compelled to address misinformation spreading after her death.

According to the pair, many details being reported online are inaccurate, including claims that Maria was engaged.

Kaua said rumors describing Maria as someone’s fiancée were false and stressed that she had never been engaged or married. He criticized individuals who he said were taking advantage of the tragedy for attention on social media while the family was grieving.

Family Rejects False Claims

Juan also addressed other allegations circulating online, claiming that some people had questioned whether he was Maria’s real brother. He further alleged that others had impersonated family members, including individuals falsely presenting themselves as Maria’s parents.

The pair said several fabricated statements had also been attributed to Maria’s mother, adding to the family’s distress during an already painful time.

They condemned what they described as attempts to gain views and engagement from the tragedy, saying such behavior was especially hurtful while loved ones were trying to cope with the loss.

“She Had Her Whole Life Ahead Of Her”

The relatives emphasized that Maria was not anyone’s fiancée and said she was a young woman with her future still ahead of her.

Remembering her life, they described her as an intelligent, kind, and remarkable person with whom they had grown up. Kaua said the false narratives surrounding her death were particularly painful for the family, especially for Maria’s grandparents, who helped raise her.

Both men urged people to stop spreading rumors and speculation, especially while relatives are still trying to understand exactly what happened.

According to them, the entire family remains devastated and is struggling to process the loss.

Maria’s Final Hours

Maria lived in Jandira, in the São Paulo metropolitan region, and had been building a following online through posts about fitness and everyday life.

Reports indicate she studied physical education and sports management and worked at a gym. Hours before the fatal incident, she shared photos and videos from the jumping site on social media.

Authorities say the accident occurred during a rope-jumping activity when a crucial safety cord was not attached before she was launched from the platform.

Her death has prompted a criminal investigation and sparked renewed scrutiny of safety procedures at extreme sports events in Brazil.