The official cause of death for Ana Clara Benevides, the 23-year-old Brazilian Taylor Swift fan who attended the Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro, has been disclosed.
Read more: Taylor Swift Mourns Fan’s Tragic Death at Rio Concert Amidst Heat and Water Concerns
According to the Associated Press, Ana Clara fainted during the concert on Nov. 17 amid extreme heat, reaching temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) during a countrywide heatwave. The forensic report from Rio’s Forensic Medical Institute attributes her death to heat exposure, causing a severe compromise of her lungs, leading to cardiorespiratory arrest and sudden death.
The report rules out preexisting conditions or substance abuse as contributing factors to Ana Clara’s tragic passing. Fans, who had queued for hours outside Nilton Santos Stadium, claimed organizers failed to provide sufficient water supplies for the 60,000 attendees who were not allowed to bring their own bottles. The event organizer, T4F, denied these allegations, stating they followed best practices, complied with authorities’ demands, and distributed thousands of water bottles to fans.
Read more: Father of Deceased Taylor Swift Fan Seeks Answers from Concert Organizers
Rio’s public prosecutor has initiated a criminal investigation, with organizers expected to testify once the forensic report undergoes thorough analysis. Swift, deeply affected by the tragedy, expressed her devastation in a social media statement. During her subsequent concert in Rio, she paid tribute to Ana Clara by performing “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” from her album Midnights, commemorating the young fan’s memory.
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