RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: The anticipation and joy surrounding Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Brazil have been eclipsed by tragedy. Gabriel Milhomem Santos, a devoted Swiftie, tragically lost his life after being fatally stabbed just hours before he was to attend the highly anticipated Taylor Swift concert in Rio de Janeiro, as per The Mirror.
Gabriel Milhomem Santos was an only child and deeply close to his mother
Gabriel Milhomem Santos, a vibrant 25-year-old from Belo Horizonte, was a passionate Swift fan.
Described by his family as cheerful, affectionate, and immensely studious, Gabriel had made the journey to Rio de Janeiro to fulfill his long-cherished dream of witnessing Swift's performance at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium.
Tragically, his dream was cut short when he was fatally stabbed while resting at Copacabana beach in the early hours of Sunday morning. Gabriel had been with two cousins, enjoying a peaceful moment by the iconic beach, when the unimaginable tragedy unfolded.
As reported by The Messenger, three assailants approached Gabriel while he was dozing off and launched a sudden assault, resulting in the fatal stabbing.
Gabriel, an only child, had always remained deeply connected to his mother, even after pursuing studies in another state. His unwavering closeness to his family painted a picture of a compassionate and devoted young man.
Gabriel's family members have announced that he will be laid to rest in his hometown in the western state of Mato Grosso do Sul. As a poignant tribute to the 25-year-old, he will be buried wearing the clothes he had specially made for Swift's concert.
Gabriel Milhomem Santos' loss follows another fan tragedy involving Ana Clara Benevides
This devastating loss follows another fan tragedy involving 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides.
During Friday's show, Benevides fainted, prompting immediate medical attention from on-site doctors. Despite their efforts, Benevides was rushed to the hospital, where she subsequently passed away, according to Daily Mail.
Her untimely demise occurred shortly before Swift took the stage, captivating a crowd of 60,000 enthusiastic and star-struck fans. The concert atmosphere was marred by the somber news of Benevides's passing.
Benevides's family received a devastating call from doctors at the Salgado Filho Hospital, announcing her tragic death. Thiago Fernandes, her friend, disclosed to the press that Benevides had been revived after fainting at the stadium but suffered a second arrest en route to the hospital, where she later died.
Temperatures in Rio de Janeiro soared as high as 100F on the day of Taylor's concert, leading to local heat warnings. Fans lamented a drink bottle ban, expressing discomfort as they shared videos sweltering in the unrelenting heat.
Swift recently broke her silence, remembering Benevides as an 'incredibly beautiful' person. Expressing her overwhelming grief, Swift conveyed her deep sorrow for the unexpected loss.
She acknowledged her inability to address the tragedy from the stage due to overwhelming emotions and offered heartfelt condolences to Benevides's family and friends.
Taylor Swift postpones her second Rio show in response to extreme heat
In response to the extreme heat conditions and numerous health incidents at the stadium, including fans fainting and vomiting due to soaring temperatures, Swift postponed her second Rio show. Concerned for the safety of her fans, crew, and fellow performers, she emphasized the priority of their well-being in her Instagram statement.
The organizers, T4F (Time For Fun), addressed the soaring temperatures and the need for enhanced safety measures for the ongoing performances. They announced reinforced safety protocols for subsequent shows, highlighting the provision of free water to alleviate the heat stress among concert-goers.
Emphasizing compliance with public regulations regarding the prohibition of external water bottles and food, T4F outlined the reinforcement of service staff, including security personnel, medical teams, and additional support staff to ensure the well-being of attendees.
