A Brazilian content creator who had just been announced as a host for an upcoming music festival was found shot to death alongside her boyfriend on a rural road outside the beach town of Porto Seguro, in the southern part of Bahia state, authorities said.
Ulissias Marcelli Couto Flores Cardial, 30, and her partner, Vinícius Souza de Carvalho, 28, were found together on a side road in the Tabapiri area on Saturday, according to Brazilian news outlet G1. A farm worker came across the bodies the night before, but a communication breakdown delayed the report to police until the following morning, Civil Police told the outlet.
Police said investigators believe the couple may have been held captive before they were killed, and both bodies had gunshot wounds. Police are examining whether the deaths are connected to an unpaid drug debt or to unauthorized drug sales tied to a criminal organization operating in the region. No arrests have been announced, and the identities of the killers and the motive remain under investigation.
Marcelli, known for her goth-inspired style and elaborate outfits, had built an online following of over more than 20,000 on
Instagram. She worked in the events industry, performed as a fire dancer specializing in choreographed routines with flames, and is survived by a 13-year-old son.
Just days before her death, Marcelli had been named one of the official hosts of the Rock Gaya Festival, a music and arts event scheduled for July 25 at the Mamagaya Sports and Leisure Complex.
The festival, in an Instagram
post introducing her and co-host Tiago Lobo, described the pair as returning "to take charge of the stage" for a second consecutive year, noting that Marcelli would also perform as a fire artist while Lobo ran a DJ set during intermissions.
Rock Gaya organizers confirmed Marcelli's death in a follow-up post on
Instagram, writing, "Today, our hearts feel heavier," and adding that they had shared the news of her hosting role with joy just days earlier before having "to say goodbye to her presence among us." The post said the festival team stood "in solidarity with her family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," and closed with, "Rest in peace, Ulissias."
Tributes poured in from fans on Marcelli's Instagram account. One commenter wrote in a pinned
post, "Brazil is experiencing rampant violence, my condolences to the family members." Another wrote, "Shocked by the news. May she be in a good place." A third commenter wrote, "Shocked by the news of her death 😢 my god and her poor son."
Marcelli's death is the latest in a
series of violent or sudden losses among Latin American social media personalities in recent weeks.
