How did Taylor Swift Fans Ana and Gabriel Die? What did Taylor Swift say About Her Fan Death?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Nov 20, 2023
How did Taylor Swift Fans Ana and Gabriel Die?
The recent deaths of Taylor Swift fans Ana Clara Benevides and Gabriel Milhomem Santos in Rio de Janeiro have cast a somber shadow over the singer's world-wide tour. Ana Clara Benevides tragically passed away after falling ill in the heat at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium, where Taylor Swift was scheduled to perform. Her cause of death was officially listed as cardiorespiratory arrest, as reported by the Brazilian newspaper Folha De Sao Paolo.
Following Ana's unfortunate death, a second Taylor Swift fan, Gabriel Milhomem Santos, met a tragic fate. Gabriel was stabbed to death hours after attending the concert at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium. Disturbingly, the incident occurred as he rested on Copacabana beach the morning after the show. Gabriel was wearing a 'Swifities' friendship bracelet, indicating his deep admiration for Taylor Swift. He is set to be buried in his hometown in the western state of Mato Grosso do Sul, dressed in what he had made to watch Taylor’s show.
The circumstances surrounding these two incidents are separate, with Ana Clara Benevides succumbing to health issues related to the concert venue's conditions, while Gabriel Milhomem Santos met a violent end through a stabbing incident unrelated to the concert itself. These tragic events have left the Taylor Swift fan community in shock, highlighting the unexpected and heartbreaking nature of the losses suffered during the singer's tour in Rio de Janeiro.
Who is Ana Clara Benevides?
Ana Clara Benevides was a 23-year-old woman and an avid fan of Taylor Swift, often referred to as a devoted 'Swiftie.' Tragically, she passed away during the Brazil leg of Taylor Swift's Eras tour, succumbing to cardiac arrest. Ana Clara attended the concert on Friday, where she fainted. Despite efforts from on-site medical professionals, she was taken to Salgado Filho Hospital, where she ultimately passed away.
As details about Ana Clara began to emerge following her untimely death, it became clear that she was an ordinary 23-year-old who enjoyed sharing glimpses of her life online. Her social media posts on platforms like TikTok offered insights into various aspects of her life, such as singing Taylor Swift's songs with a love heart filter or creating montages with friends set to music.
Ana Clara was a student at The Federal University of Rondonópolis (UFR), where she pursued a degree in Psychology. The university expressed deep regret over her passing, describing her as a regular student in the graduate course. The Dean of the University, Professor Analy Castilho Polizel de Souza, announced three days of mourning in response to the tragic incident.
Friends and family members, devastated by Ana Clara's death, shared tributes on social media, expressing love and recounting shared memories. Childhood friend Thiago Fernandes posted pictures and recalled their conversations about the Taylor Swift concert, expressing profound sadness and disbelief at her untimely departure. Another friend acknowledged Ana Clara as one of the best people they had ever met.
In addition to being remembered as a passionate Taylor Swift fan, Ana Clara Benevides will also be remembered for her pursuit of a psychology degree and her presence in the academic community at UFR. The university community, along with her friends and family, mourns her loss and extends condolences during this difficult time.
Name
Ana Clara Benevides
Age
23
Occupation
Psychology Student at The Federal University of Rondonópolis (UFR)
Passions
Taylor Swift fan, Music
Academic Pursuit
Pursued a degree in Psychology at UFR
Who is Gabriel Milhomem Santos?
Gabriel Milhomem Santos was a 25-year-old man who tragically lost his life in Rio de Janeiro while attending Taylor Swift's world tour. Gabriel had traveled from Belo Horizonte to Rio specifically to be part of the singer's show. He pursued a degree in Aeronautic Engineering, indicating an academic focus in aeronautical sciences.
On the ill-fated Sunday morning, Gabriel, accompanied by his two female cousins, decided to visit the popular Copacabana beach for a swim. Unfortunately, their outing took a devastating turn when Gabriel was stabbed to death by three robbers as he rested on the beach. The assailants not only took two mobile phones but also seized the keys to the group's hired car.
The robbers were later apprehended by the police, shedding light on the perpetrators behind this tragic incident. Two of the robbers, Alan Ananias Calvacante and Anderson Henriques Brandão, had been released from custody just hours before the fatal attack. Their previous arrest had been for stealing 80 bars of chocolate. A third robber, Jonathan Batista Barbosa, remains on the run and has a history of ten other crimes on his record.
Gabriel Milhomem Santos, in his pursuit of education and his enthusiasm for attending Taylor Swift's concert, became an unintended victim of a violent crime. His untimely death on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers that can be encountered, even during what should have been a joyous occasion.
Name
Gabriel Milhomem Santos
Age
25
Hometown
Belo Horizonte
Occupation
Aeronautic Engineering Student
Passions
Taylor Swift fan, Music
Educational Pursuit
Studied Aeronautic Engineering
What did Taylor Swift say About Her Fan Death?
In response to the tragic death of her fan Ana Clara Benevides during the Brazil leg of her Eras tour, Taylor Swift broke her silence and expressed her deep sorrow in a heartfelt statement. Taylor shared her disbelief and devastation, conveying the difficulty she faced in finding the words to address the loss of a fan she described as "incredibly beautiful" and "far too young."
In her statement, Taylor expressed the shattered state of her heart and the profound impact Ana Clara's passing had on her. She acknowledged the limited information available about the circumstances of the tragedy but emphasized the deep sense of grief she felt. Swift was candid about her emotional state, revealing that the overwhelming sorrow had left her unable to speak about the loss from the stage during her performance.
Despite the challenge of addressing the tragedy during her tour, Taylor Swift wanted to convey the depth of her feelings and extend condolences to Ana Clara's family and friends. She expressed the unexpected and heartbreaking nature of such an event, stating that it was the last thing she ever thought would happen when deciding to bring her tour to Brazil. Taylor Swift's response reflected genuine sorrow and a sense of connection with her fans, acknowledging the profound impact of Ana Clara Benevides's untimely death on both her and the fan community.
About Taylor Swift
Taylor Alison Swift, born on December 13, 1989, is an American singer-songwriter who has left an indelible mark on the music industry and popular culture. Recognized for her exceptional songwriting skills, musical versatility, and influence, Taylor Swift has become a prominent figure of the 21st century.
Swift's journey in the music industry began at a young age, as she started professional songwriting at just 14 years old. In 2005, she signed with Big Machine Records, marking the beginning of her career as a country singer. Her self-titled debut album in 2006 marked the start of her success, followed by albums like "Fearless" (2008), "Speak Now" (2010), and "Red" (2012), each showcasing her evolution as an artist exploring various genres.
The turning point in Swift's musical trajectory came with "1989" (2014), a synth-pop album that departed from her country roots. This album produced chart-topping hits such as "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," and "Bad Blood." Swift continued to experiment with her sound, releasing "Reputation" (2017), which incorporated hip-hop elements.
In 2018, Swift signed with Republic Records, leading to the release of the pop album "Lover" in 2019. Her 2020 albums, "Folklore" and "Evermore," showcased a shift towards indie folk and alternative rock. In 2022, she explored chill-out styles with "Midnights." Notably, Swift's journey also included re-recording and releasing her earlier albums as "Taylor's Version" after a dispute with her previous record label.
Beyond her musical accomplishments, Taylor Swift has delved into filmmaking, directing music videos and films such as "All Too Well: The Short Film" (2021). She embarked on the Eras Tour in 2023, further solidifying her status as a captivating live performer.
With a global impact, Swift has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling musicians. She holds numerous records, including being the most-streamed woman on Spotify and Apple Music. Swift's accolades include 12 Grammy Awards, multiple Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and she is featured in prestigious lists such as Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and Time 100.
In addition to her musical achievements, Taylor Swift is an advocate for artists' rights and women's empowerment, using her platform to address important social issues. Swift's multifaceted career has made her a trailblazer in the music industry, earning her a place among the most influential and successful artists of her generation.
How did Taylor Swift Fans Ana and Gabriel Die - FAQs
Ana Clara Benevides tragically passed away during Taylor Swift's concert in Rio de Janeiro. She suffered cardiac arrest and, despite efforts from on-site medical professionals, was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
Gabriel Milhomem Santos was stabbed to death by robbers on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The incident occurred the morning after he attended Taylor Swift's world tour at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium.
No, there is no indication that Ana Clara Benevides and Gabriel Milhomem Santos were targeted specifically because they were Taylor Swift fans. Their deaths were the result of separate incidents—Ana's related to health issues during the concert, and Gabriel's due to a violent encounter with robbers.
Ana Clara Benevides's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, and it was related to health issues she experienced during the concert. There is no evidence to suggest a direct link between her death and the conditions of the concert or Taylor Swift's performance.
Yes, the individuals responsible for the stabbing death of Gabriel Milhomem Santos were later arrested by the police. Two of the robbers, Alan Ananias Calvacante and Anderson Henriques Brandão, had been released from custody just hours earlier before the fatal incident. A third robber, Jonathan Batista Barbosa, remains on the run.