Brazilian 'Human Barbie' Influencer Exhumed in Strangulation Probe
The body of a Brazilian social media influencer, widely known as 'Human Barbie' due to her extensive cosmetic surgeries, has been exhumed for a forensic autopsy following a court order. Barbara Jankavski, aged 31, was dug up from her grave in São Paulo on February 3, as authorities investigate claims that she may have died from strangulation, rather than the initially reported accidental death from cocaine use.
Family Raises Suspicious of Foul Play
Jankavski's family has pointed to markings on her body that suggest possible asphyxiation, prompting a deeper inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death. She was found deceased on November 2 inside the residence of 51-year-old public defender Renato Campos Pinto de Vitto. Initially, authorities ruled her death as accidental, attributing it to a heart attack caused by cocaine intoxication. However, in early December, São Paulo's Court of Justice transferred the investigation to the Homicide and Personal Protection Department, a specialized unit of Brazil's Civil Police that handles murder cases.
Prosecutors Seek Further Forensic Evidence
Prosecutors have requested additional examinations, including X-rays of Jankavski's neck to detect signs of strangulation and DNA tests under her fingernails to determine if she defended herself against potential aggression. According to a police report obtained by CNN Brasil, De Vitto told investigators that he had hired Jankavski for sexual services on the night of her death and admitted that both used illicit substances together. He claimed to have noticed she was not moving after falling asleep, prompting him to call emergency services and perform CPR for nine minutes before medics arrived and pronounced her dead.
Injuries and Conflicting Accounts
Jankavski was discovered wearing only underwear, with an injury on her left eye and marks on her back, as reported by São Paulo State Military Police. A friend attributed the facial injury to a previous slip and fall, while De Vitto denied any assault, maintaining that the injury occurred during a fall before she fell asleep. Other individuals were present at the property, including a female friend of De Vitto and another man, but forensic tests have not been conducted on them, according to the family's criticism of the investigation.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Proceedings
The Public Security Secretariat confirmed that expert reports linked Jankavski's death to cocaine use, stating it was due to intoxication from a chemical substance. However, investigations remain ongoing under the 7th Police District. Prosecutor Michele Demico Camargo has granted a request from lawyers to have the case reviewed by the Jury Court, with a potential transfer to the Department of Homicides and Protection of Persons. It will be up to a judge to determine if the death should be treated as a suspected homicide.
Social Media Influence and Personal Life
Jankavski had amassed a massive following of over 400,000 on Instagram and TikTok by documenting her 27 cosmetic procedures, including a facelift she publicly shared in June. She frequently discussed beauty standards and her dramatic transformations, earning the nickname 'Human Barbie.' Following the incident, De Vitto took medical leave from the Public Defender's Office, citing post-traumatic stress, and remains on leave without performing his duties.
