Ana Clara Benevides Machado, a 23-year-old psychology student, tragically passed away from heat exhaustion during Taylor Swift’s November concert in Rio de Janeiro.
According to a forensics report obtained by the Associated Press, the intense heat led to cardio-respiratory arrest. The report also noted that Machado, who had no pre-existing conditions or history of substance abuse, suffered severe lung damage and sudden death due to the extreme temperatures.
On the night of concert, Swift shared her heartbreak over the loss of a fan in a now-expired Instagram story. She expressed deep sorrow and sent her condolences to Machado’s family and friends, stating that this was the last thing she ever expected when bringing her tour to Brazil.
The concerts took place during a record-breaking heat wave in Brazil. The heat index at the Estádio Nilton Santos reached a staggering 140 degrees, leading to around 1,000 fans fainting, according to an unofficial count by firefighters. Videos from the event showed Swift pausing her performance twice to ensure more water was distributed to the crowd, even throwing bottles herself to distressed fans.
With over 60,000 attendees, the venue had prohibited water bottles inside, exacerbating the situation. The soaring temperatures that week saw Rio’s heat index hit an all-time high of 137 degrees. In light of Machado’s death, the office of Rio’s public prosecutor has launched a criminal investigation, and police have announced that event organizers will be called to testify.
In a heartfelt gesture, Swift met with five of Machado’s family members at her São Paulo show later in November. She covered their travel expenses, invited them to the concert, and made a donation to her fan’s parents. The family, wearing matching shirts with Machado’s face, posed for photos with the Grammy-winning singer, who showed her support during this difficult time.
