Brazilian model Caroline Bittencourt died in São Paulo on Sunday after she drowned in an attempt to rescue her dogs who fell out of the sailboat she was on with her husband, Jorge Sestini. She was 37.
According to TMZ, the devastating accident happened after a storm hit the couple’s boat and left their catamaran in rough waters, causing their two dogs to fall out. Bittencourt jumped in the water after her pets. Directly after, Sestini dove in to save his wife.
A few hours later, Sestini was found alive and brought to safety while his wife remained missing.
On Monday, it was confirmed that the model’s body was discovered near Cigarras Beach in São Paulo.
Her 17-year-old daughter, Isabelle Bittencourt, took to Instagram to confirm her mother’s sudden death and also thanked everyone for the support her family has been receiving. “We are grateful for the support and affectionate messages we have received from Carol’s friends and fans. This energy drive fills our hearts with so much love,” she wrote.
Her modeling agency, OXYgen Models, expressed their sympathy in the following statement toGlobo: “We are grateful for all the trust she has placed in us in these years of work and partnership, our condolences to the friends and family of the victim.”
The passing of Bittencourt marks the second model death in Brazil in less than week. Over the weekend,26-year-old runway model Tao Soares died after collapsing on catwalk.
source: people.com
