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‘Human Barbie’ influencer’s body exhumed as authorities probe new murder allegations
Initial forensic findings concluded that she died from a heart attack linked to cocaine use
The body of Brazilian content creator Barbara Jankavski — known online as the “Human Barbie” — has been exhumed as part of a renewed investigation into her death, which was previously ruled accidental but is now being examined as a possible homicide.
Jankavski, 31, was found unresponsive inside the São Paulo home of public defender Renato Campos Pinto de Vitto, 51, on Nov. 2. Initial forensic findings concluded that she died from a heart attack linked to cocaine use.
However, those conclusions have been challenged by both prosecutors and Jankavski’s family, who allege she may have been strangled.
According to Brazilian outlet g1, Jankavski’s body was exhumed on Feb. 3 following a court order. Authorities plan to conduct a new autopsy, including examinations of her neck for signs of asphyxiation, X-rays, and DNA testing beneath her fingernails to determine whether she may have defended herself during a physical altercation.
Despite the original ruling of accidental death, São Paulo’s Court of Justice ordered on Dec. 5 that the case be transferred to the Homicide and Personal Protection Department, which handles suspicious and violent deaths.
In the days following Jankavski’s death, De Vitto told police that he had hired her for sexual services and that the pair had consumed illicit substances together.
He said he noticed she was no longer moving after falling asleep and attempted to resuscitate her for approximately nine minutes before emergency responders arrived and pronounced her dead, according to a police report cited by CNN Brasil.
Police later reported finding Jankavski dressed only in underwear, with an injury to her left eye and marks on her back.
A friend reportedly told authorities the facial injury may have resulted from a prior fall, though prosecutors have questioned that explanation.
The case remains under investigation as a suspicious death, and no suspects or persons of interest have been named, per g1.
Jankavski had amassed a large following on social media, with more than 55,000 followers on Instagram and over 340,000 on TikTok, where she documented her extensive cosmetic procedures, including a facelift she underwent last June.