A Miss Universe contestant has been tragically found dead at her apartment, with police not ruling out the possibility of foul play. After several days without contact, family members discovered the lifeless body of 23-year-old Wualys Suseth Fuentes Aquino in her Honduras flat on July 20.
The young model and student had recently secured the runner-up spot in the Miss Universe Tegucigalpa 2026 competition. An investigation into her death is now underway, with authorities investigating both foul play and natural causes.
Post-mortem and evidence collection
A post-mortem examination is currently being conducted to establish her precise cause of death. Following the find, forensic teams promptly cordoned off her flat in the Altos del Trapiche residential area of Tegucigalpa to collect evidence.
The organisers of the 2026 pageant lauded her talent, charisma and supportive attitude towards other contestants.
Rising star and student
In addition to modelling, Wualys was studying International Marketing and Social Work at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. She was seen as a rising star in her homeland and frequently expressed her passion for travel on social media.
The Miss Universe Tegucigalpa organisation characterised her as supportive, kind-hearted and dedicated.
Friends remembered her as a 'joyful and charismatic' young woman with big aspirations.
