Brazilian model and student Ana Beatriz Araújo Ferreira dies at 22 after lightning strike in Tocantins
Ana Beatriz Araújo Ferreira, a 22-year-old physiotherapy student and former local rodeo queen, died after being struck by lightning while combing her niece's hair in the town of Almas.
Lightning strike in Almas
The fatal incident occurred around 15:00 on Saturday, 3 October 2026, at a family home in the municipality of Almas, located in the interior of Brazil's Tocantins state. Ana Beatriz Araújo Ferreira was spending the afternoon at her mother's house for a family lunch gathering. Weather conditions appeared calm, with light rain and overcast skies that gave no indication of severe atmospheric danger. Shortly before the strike, Araújo Ferreira had bathed her five-year-old son, Luiz Henrique, and sent him indoors. She then remained outside in the backyard area, which contained several trees and a washing tub, to comb her niece's hair while barefoot after handling water.
The sudden electrical discharge struck the yard directly, knocking both Araújo Ferreira and the child to the ground. Her sister, Lana Letícia, recounted the exact moment of the impact.
She was combing my niece's hair when the discharge arrived.
Medical response and structural damage
The force of the electrical discharge extended into the residential structure, burning out all electrical bulbs and destroying the house antenna. Family members immediately rushed to administer first aid while the 22-year-old remained alive. Emergency services transported Araújo Ferreira to a local medical center before transferring her to a regional hospital in Porto Nacional. Despite resuscitation efforts, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
Her niece was taken separately to the Regional Hospital of Dianópolis for medical evaluation. Doctors kept the young girl under observation until her discharge on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The 100th Police Station of Almas opened an official inquiry to document the fatal incident.
- Ana Beatriz Araújo Ferreira celebrates her 22nd birthday
- Lightning strikes the backyard in Almas, injuring Araújo Ferreira and her niece
- Niece is discharged from Dianópolis hospital and a wake is held at the family home
- Burial takes place at the municipal cemetery in Almas
Background and community role
Araújo Ferreira had celebrated her 22nd birthday on 26 September 2026, one week prior to the accident. Known locally as Aninha, she was enrolled in her first semester of physiotherapy studies at the University of Norte do Paraná. In June 2026, she was crowned the Rodeo Queen at the 27th ExpoAlmas, an annual agricultural event organized by the Sindicato Rural de Almas. Organizers noted that her presence represented local equestrian traditions, friendliness, and community engagement.
She lived with close ties to her relatives, regularly spending weekends at her mother's home to help cook and care for her siblings. She leaves behind her five-year-old son, her parents, and six maternal half-siblings.
Family farewell and tributes
Her godmother, Marcella Batista, described Araújo Ferreira as a dedicated mother who remained central to household life. Her brother, César Augusto, spoke to CNN Brasil about the rapid nature of the event and his sister's role within the family.
Aninha is and was one of the most beautiful people I have ever met in my life.
A wake took place at the family residence on Sunday, 4 October 2026. The burial followed on the morning of Monday, 5 October 2026, at the municipal cemetery in Almas.
