Who Is Sofia Murillo? Insights on the 17-Year-Old Influencer
The Colombian influencer Sofia Murillo tragically passed away at the age of 17 in August 2026 following a devastating helicopter crash.
On August 8, 2026, reports emerged that Murillo was involved in a fatal accident in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with her mother, Wendy Manrique, and grandmother, Rocio Cubillos, both of whom also lost their lives, according to g1. The pilot of the helicopter, Alessandro Rocha, was also killed in the incident.
This tragedy occurred less than two months after musician Oliver Tree died in a separate helicopter crash southwest of Rio de Janeiro, where two helicopters collided, resulting in six fatalities.
Before her untimely death at 17, Murillo had gained a large following on social media for her beauty product reviews and “get ready with me” videos.
Continue reading for more details about Murillo’s life and her unexpected demise at 17.
Sofia Murillo Had Over 250,000 Followers on Social Media
The young influencer had amassed a following of over 200,000 on TikTok and nearly 50,000 on Instagram, primarily through her lifestyle content. Many of her posts focused on cosmetic product reviews and beauty tips.
Her last post, published on August 1, highlighted her fitness routine. The TikTok video has become a tribute site for fans, who have been sharing their condolences in the comment section.
“Rest in peace, angel,” one fan commented.
“I’m going to miss your tips, Sofi,” another expressed. “You were one of the few who truly helped boost my self-esteem. I will miss you dearly.”
Sofia Murillo Was Vacationing With Family at the Time of the Crash
According to Murillo’s uncle, Victor Manrique, he was on vacation with his wife and 15-year-old daughter, alongside Murillo, her mother, Wendy Manrique, and her grandmother, Rocio Cubillos, when the accident occurred.
The family had reportedly arranged a 20-minute helicopter tour to view the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Victor mentioned that he stayed back in the hangar with his family while Murillo, her mother, and grandmother boarded their flight around 11 a.m. local time.
All Four People on Sofia Murillo’s Helicopter Tragically Died
Murillo, Manrique, and Cubillos were said to be on a four-seat helicopter operated by local tour company Voo Rio Panorâmico, piloted by Alessandro Rocha. The aircraft crashed near the picturesque Vista Chinesa, plunging into a heavily wooded area.
All four individuals on board were reported dead.
Sofia Murillo’s Helicopter Crash Led to a Fire
The helicopter’s wreckage ignited a fire in the forested hillside where the accident occurred, reported local outlet g1.
Local fire department representative, Lieutenant Colonel Fábio Contreiras, informed that 40 military vehicles and an additional 11 vehicles and four operational units were involved in the recovery efforts.
“The primary challenge our teams are facing is accessing the site. The aircraft crashed in a steep, forested area with steep cliffs, requiring specialized rope techniques and safety measures to navigate,” Contreiras stated in a translated statement. “Upon arrival, we found not only the helicopter but also a fire caused by the explosion of its fuel, which has since been completely extinguished.”
The fire department also mentioned, “Our current focus is on finding quicker access routes to aid the Civil Police and Cenipa forensics teams, as well as facilitating the eventual recovery of the bodies. We aim to expedite this process as soon as possible, ideally today.”
Investigation Into the Fatal Crash Is Underway
CNN Brasil reports that an official investigation into the accident has been launched by Rio de Janeiro’s Civil Police and Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center.
A lawyer for the helicopter touring company, Voo Rio Panorâmico, emphasized to g1 that all necessary permits were in place for conducting tours in the area. Voo Rio Panorâmico assured that the pilot was appropriately licensed and the aircraft was fully maintained.
The attorney also acknowledged that the company is currently uncertain about what went wrong during the typically routine flight.
