Human Barbie's Body Exhumed in Brazil Amid Strangulation Murder Probe
The remains of Barbara Jankavski Marquez, a social media influencer famously known as the Human Barbie, have been exhumed in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This dramatic development follows serious questions raised by prosecutors about the circumstances of her death, with authorities now investigating whether she was strangled.
Exhumation Ordered for Forensic Tests
Prosecutors took the unusual step of ordering the exhumation on February 3, just days after her burial. They have challenged an initial report that attributed her death to a heart attack linked to cocaine use. Instead, injuries on her neck were found to be consistent with mechanical asphyxiation, prompting a court-ordered exhumation for further forensic analysis.
Authorities are specifically requesting X-rays of her neck to check for broken bones and DNA testing under her nails to determine if she attempted to defend herself. The body's state of decomposition may complicate the investigation, with a provisional deadline for the final report set for early March.
Discovery at Lawyer's Home
Police discovered the 31-year-old influencer dead in her underwear on the night of November 2 at the Sao Paulo home of lawyer Renato De Vitto. De Vitto admitted to hiring her for sexual services and claimed they both used cocaine before she fell asleep and never woke up. He stated he performed CPR for nine minutes before paramedics arrived and pronounced her dead at the scene.
Initially, investigators ruled her death accidental, finding no link between her injuries and any possible assault. However, her family has consistently disputed this, believing she was killed, which led prosecutors to intervene and demand further investigations.
Witnesses and Legal Proceedings
Two friends—one of Barbara's and one of De Vitto's—were present at the time of her death. Both prosecutors and the victim's parents' lawyers are calling for them to be investigated. Previously, the pair and De Vitto were only questioned as witnesses, with one friend telling police she saw Barbara fall and injure herself.
The case has now been transferred to the Department of Homicide and Protection of the People (DHPP), a specialized branch of the Civil Police, following a court order. It was initially handled by the 7th Police District in Lapa, west of Sao Paulo.
Human Barbie's Online Persona and Surgeries
Barbara, who called herself the Inhuman Doll, amassed hundreds of thousands of followers online by documenting her extreme cosmetic transformations. Dubbed the Human Barbie, she underwent at least 27 procedures costing over £40,000, including:
- Liposuction on her neck, stomach, and legs
- Breast and buttock implants
- Eyebrow lifts
- Five nose jobs to achieve a slimmer, upturned look
She also appeared on television and starred in a Burger King ad campaign in 2024, using her platform to give tips to followers considering similar surgeries.
