Police investigating the death of a young woman thrown from a bridge during a bungee jump in Brazil have revealed that a missing camera may hold crucial evidence. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, known as Duda, was carried to the edge of a 130ft high abandoned bridge in Limeira, São Paulo state, on June 13 and thrown off by two company employees. Moments later, it emerged she had plunged without being attached to a rope.
Three Arrested in Connection with Incident
São Paulo's Civil Police have arrested three people in connection with the incident: a 29-year-old woman and two men aged 25 and 27. Search and seizure warrants were executed at their addresses. Lead investigator Andréa Levy stated that there was evidence suggesting the “possible suppression of relevant evidence, especially related to the disappearance of the image-capturing equipment used by the victim during the jump.”
Police also found evidence indicating that digital content potentially relevant to solving the case had been deleted after the incident, which formed the basis for the warrants. The three instructors arrested on the day of the accident remain in custody.
Investigation into Intentional Crimes
The investigation is looking into the possibility of intentional crimes against life, in the form of implied malice, as well as possible procedural fraud. According to Kleber Altale, director of the Department of Judicial Police of the Interior 9, the Civil Police are continuing investigations to fully clarify what happened, identify all those criminally responsible, and locate the camera used by Maria at the time of the fatal jump, which is considered important to reconstruct the incident.
Family Grief and Statement
Maria's relatives have described their grief in an exclusive statement to the Daily Mail through an attorney. The family said: “With an immeasurable pain and a desolate heart the Rodrigues family addresses to the public in this very difficult moment, after the tragic and premature loss of our dear Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, affectionately known as Duda, at the age of 21.”
The statement added: “Her abrupt departure interrupts a life full of plans and dreams, leaving a deep absence in all of us who love her. Duda had many dreams for the future, she was dating and she planned to get married soon, with the desire to build her own family and give her grandparents the joy of meeting their children. All these life projects have been ripped away.” The family expressed gratitude for support and the role of the press in seeking truth.
Bridge to Be Demolished
The abandoned bridge, which had been used by unregulated rope-jump and bungee-style operators despite years of complaints, is set to be demolished. Work to bring down the bridge began on June 19, less than a week after Duda's death.
