Three employees at a bungee jumping centre in Brazil have been detained after claiming they have no recollection of the events leading to a woman's fatal plunge. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, plummeted 130 feet to her death on Saturday after allegedly being pushed from Skeleton Bridge in Limeira, São Paulo, without being secured to a safety rope. Harrowing footage circulating online captured onlookers desperately attempting to intervene, screaming warnings that she wasn't properly equipped for the jump.
Employees Arrested and Charged
Two of the trio reportedly fled the scene following the tragedy, before six people were rounded up by Brazil's military police for interrogation. Three were ultimately arrested and charged with homicide with eventual intent, according to the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat. The suspects—named as Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42, Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, and Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27—remain behind bars while legal proceedings unfold.
Baffling Excuse Given by Staff
It's unclear what plea the men intend to enter, although their solicitor Rafael Gomes dos Santos conveyed deep regret over the devastating incident. 'They are in a state of shock. They cannot explain what happened because they have been doing this for years. Nothing like this has ever happened,' he stated. Reports suggest the men told police during questioning that they 'can't remember' exactly how the rope attachment malfunction occurred, claiming there was a 'blackout' while setting up the equipment. Feliciano Egoroff, reportedly earning about $35 per jump, along with Fernandes Cintra, told authorities they 'can't remember' who conducted the final safety checks, explaining that equipment inspections are carried out 'jointly'.
Victim's Final Moments and Mother's Grief
The victim was buried in the capital city on Sunday, with her mother taking to social media to express her heartbreak. '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,' her mother wrote online. Before the fatal incident, the victim had posted multiple Instagram stories chronicling her adventure-seeking experience. One haunting message, uploaded around 7.30am local time, showed a photograph of the bridge accompanied by the words, 'Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?'.
Government Blamed for Lack of Regulation
Officials from Limeira Town Hall have indicated plans to take legal proceedings against the Brazilian government regarding its purported failure to properly regulate activities at the bridge. This isn't the first tragedy at the site—in April 2024, a 39-year-old woman cyclist died after plunging from the bridge, while two other women suffered severe injuries in another incident at the same spot in August 2025. 'In addition to the circumstances that led to the young woman's death, it is necessary to establish who is responsible for the lack of access control to a federal area which, for years, has posed known risks and is still without the necessary safety measures,' Limeira's mayor Murilo Felix said. 'We have been calling for action for months to ensure that the Federal Government assumes its responsibility. Unfortunately, its failure to act has just resulted in yet another tragedy in Limeira.'
