Brazilian music artist Marília Mendonça died in a plane crash traveling to a concert on Friday. She was 26.
Mendonça’s press office confirmed her death in a statement, written in Portuguese, posted on Instagram. Four other passengers on the flight also died, including Mendonça’s producer Henrique Ribeiro, her uncle Abicieli Silveira Dias Filho and the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft, who were identified by name in the statement. Their plane crashed between Mendonça’s hometown Goiania and Caratinga, a small city in Minas Gerais state located north of Rio de Janeiro.
This statement roughly translates to “With immense regret, we confirm the death of singer Marília Mendonça, her producer Henrique Ribeiro, her uncle and advisor Abicieli Silveira Dias Filho, the pilot and co-pilot of the plane, whose names we will preserve at this time.”
“The plane took off from Goiâna to Caratinga/MG, where Marilia would have performed tonight,” the post continued. “At the moment, this is all the information we have.”
Acording to the Associated Press, photographs and videos show the plane laying just beneath a waterfall; Mendonça had posted a video this afternoon of her walking toward the plane carrying her guitar case.
The BBC reports that the Brazilian authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, which occurred in Caratinga, Minas Gerais.
Mendonça performed primarily in the sertanejo genre, largely associated with Brazil’s rural or back country culture, drawing comparisons to American country music and Mexican Norteno. She used her songs to tackle feminist issues, often calling out men who control their partners and fighting for female empowerment with her lyrics. She was the country’s most listened to artist on Spotify last year according to E! News.
Celebrities like soccer player Neymar and pop star Anitta have paid tribute to the singer on social media.
In 2017, the artist received her first Latin Grammy nomination, following critical acclaim for her album, “Realidade.” She won the Grammy for Best Sertaneja Music Album with her album “Todos os Cantos” at the 2019 Latin Grammy Awards.
Mendonça is survived by her fiancé Murilo Huff and their 2-year-old son Leo, who was born in 2019.