Possible evidence missing from scene where 21-year-old woman died in horrific rope-jump incident
Topics: World News, News, Crime
Madison Burgess
Featured Image Credit: NBC
Topics: World News, News, Crime
Eyewitnesses claim a key piece of evidence in the investigation into the tragic death of Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas has not been located.
The 21-year-old Brazilian woman plunged to her death while taking part in a rope jump off the Ponte do Esqueleto bridge in Limeira, São Paulo, after instructors allegedly failed to attach her safety rope.
For context, rope jumping is similar to bungee jumping, except the rope is not elasticated.
Harrowing footage of the horrific incident shows two members of staff throwing her off the abandoned ‘Skeleton Bridge,’ apparently failing to notice that her harness wasn’t attached to the rope.
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They carried her to the edge in a horizontal position in the air after she reportedly asked to be launched ‘aeroplane style' for the jump, reports ITV News.
Rodrigues de Freitas fell 40 metres (130ft) and was heartbreakingly pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.
In the video, onlookers could be heard warning them, 'the rope, people, the rope,’ but it was tragically too late.
The publication also reports that a camera witnesses say was worn by the 21-year-old during her fall has not been found by police, with suggestions that it was taken from the scene.
Three men were arrested after six people were transported to Limeira’s Second Police District. It’s been reported that the men said Rodrigues de Freitas' death was an accident.
The trio were charged with homicide with implied malice. They have since been identified as Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27, and Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42.
This charge means that police believe the men didn't intend to kill Rodrigues de Freitas, but their actions mean they assume responsibility for the risk that led to her death.
As reported by The Guardian, Brazilian police investigator Andrea Levy told journalists: "They do not remember whether they forgot to attach (the ropes), or who was supposed to do it, or who failed to check. But the fact is, the ropes were not attached to her.”
Witnesses claim the instructors attempted to flee the scene and change their clothes; however, the instructors deny this.
The suspects’ lawyer, Rafael Gomes dos Santos, told The Mirror that ‘they are in a state of shock’ and ‘blacked out’ after the tragedy.
He said: “They cannot explain what happened because they have been doing this for years. Nothing like this has ever happened.”
Paying tribute, the young woman’s mother, Valdenia Rodrigues, wrote on social media: “That damned rope took you away from me forever. My beloved daughter, you are gone, and all that remains here is pain and longing. I will love you forever.”
Ponte do Esqueleto, nicknamed Skeleton Bridge, was meant to be part of Brazil’s Federal Railway Network (RFFSA).
It’s been abandoned for around 30 years. However, it has remained popular with extreme sports enthusiasts, and this isn’t the first tragedy that has taken place there.
According to O Tempo, one businessman claimed the bridge receives 500 visitors a month.
Mum-of-one Kelly Stefani de Oliveira Alves, 39, is cycling with her husband on the Skeleton Bridge when she loses her balance as her foot touches a low wall.
Tragically, she falls off the bridge and drops 15 metres with her bike, dying at the scene and leaving behind a seven-year-old son.
Following the accident, Brazil’s Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) asked for the bridge to be closed and for danger signs to warn people not to go on it.
Nevertheless, activities at the site resumed.
Two women fall from the Skeleton Bridge and suffer serious injuries.
One woman is taken to Santa Casa de Limeira hospital with critical injuries. Another suffers multiple fractures throughout her body.