The remains of a social media influencer known as the “Human Barbie” have been unearthed amidst ongoing uncertainties surrounding her demise. Barbara Jankavski Marquez’s body was exhumed on February 3, shortly after her burial, as prosecutors questioned the initial assessment attributing her death to a heart attack related to cocaine use.
Law enforcement officials have raised the possibility that the influencer might have been strangled to death. They highlighted neck injuries consistent with mechanical asphyxiation, prompting a court-ordered exhumation for further forensic analysis.
The influencer, aged 31, was discovered deceased in her undergarments on the evening of November 2 at a residence in Sao Paulo, Brazil, belonging to a lawyer who had engaged her for sexual services. Witnesses reported observing marks on her face at the scene.
Initially deemed accidental, her death investigation is now under scrutiny for potential foul play. Authorities are seeking X-rays of her neck for fractures and DNA tests under her nails to determine if she defended herself.
Two acquaintances present during the incident are under investigation, with suspicions raised by both prosecutors and the victim’s legal representatives. The lawyer in question contends that he hired the “Human Barbie” as an escort, alleging drug use and her sudden death during sleep.
Despite the lawyer’s claims, the family suspects foul play in her demise, prompting prosecutors to intervene for further inquiries. A preliminary deadline for the case report has been set for early March, though challenges posed by the body’s decomposition state may hinder the investigation.
Following judicial directives, the case has been transferred to the Department of Homicide and Protection of the People (DHPP), a specialized division of the Civil Police, after initial inquiries by the 7th Police District in Lapa, Sao Paulo.
Known as the “Inhuman Doll,” Barbara garnered a substantial online following for her extreme cosmetic alterations. Referred to as the “Human Barbie,” she underwent numerous surgeries, spending over £40,000 on procedures such as liposuction, breast implants, eyebrow lifts, and multiple nose jobs to achieve a specific aesthetic. Additionally, she made television appearances and featured in a Burger King advertising campaign in 2024.
