Brazilian police arrest three instructors after rope jump death of 21-year-old woman left unsecured
Police in São Paulo state say three instructors failed to attach a safety rope to Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas before launching her from an abandoned bridge. The 21-year-old fell 30 to 40 metres and died at the scene.
The fatal jump
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, a 21-year-old sports pedagogy student from Jandira, died on Saturday after a rope jump from Ponte do Esqueleto in Limeira, São Paulo state. She had asked to be launched airplane-style, with two instructors lifting her by the arms while a third held her legs. Video footage shows the two men in white helmets throwing her into the void, but the safety rope that was supposed to arrest her fall lay coiled on the ground beside them.
They do not remember whether they forgot to attach the ropes, or who was supposed to do it, or who failed to check. But the fact is the ropes were not attached to her.
Investigation and arrests
Three instructors were arrested immediately after the incident and face charges of involuntary manslaughter under the legal concept of eventual intent, because police believe they knowingly accepted the risk. A nurse in the queue filmed the moment, and that recording shows unequivocally that no rope was connected to the victim. Two other men who identified themselves as company members fled into nearby vegetation when an officer turned to assist the rescue, according to the police report; some outlets say six people were detained in total. The judge at the custody hearing ruled the group had failed to adopt the minimum necessary precautions.
- Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas dies after falling 30–40 metres during a rope jump; instructors failed to attach her safety rope.
- Three instructors are arrested at the scene on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.
- The victim is buried.
- Police investigator confirms ropes were not attached; Limeira announces lawsuit against the federal government for bridge security.
Missing protocols
The informal group, operating under the name Entre Cordas, had no formal safety protocol, no liability waivers and no authorized use of the bridge. Rodrigo Ratochinski, a pharmacist who jumped at the same spot a month earlier, told reporters he paid R$180 via Pix and was never asked to sign anything. He said he checked his own harness because he felt insecure, noting that the only verification the instructors performed was a password to confirm the booking.
Victim’s last posts
In the hours before the jump, Maria Eduarda shared posts on Instagram that now read as prophetic. One caption asked, "Who was the crazy person who let me come here to jump off a bridge?" Another image showed a sign warning of death risk alongside a skull. She studied sport management and worked at a gym.
Official fallout
Limeira mayor Murilo Félix said the city would sue the federal government, which owns the long-abandoned bridge, for failing to secure it despite repeated warnings.
Unfortunately the inaction of the federal authorities has now led to another tragedy in Limeira.
The Brazilian federal asset secretariat said it was ready to assist investigators. Maria Eduarda was buried on 14 June.
