Fitness influencer Mara Flavia dies after vanishing during Ironman Triathlon
A Brazilian fitness influencer named Mara Flávia has died after she disappeared underwater during the swimming portion of a triathlon in Texas.
Police are investigating the death of the 38-year-old who drowned on Saturday (18 April), as the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed that someone had lost their life during the event.
In a statement, they said: "The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office can confirm that a participant in today’s Ironman Triathlon in the Woodlands has drowned while participating in the swim portion of the event.
"The Woodlands Fire Department completed the rescue in Lake Woodlands near North Shore Park. Once it was determined the participant was deceased, The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation into this drowning per normal protocols.
"MCSO Major Crimes detectives are on scene and will continue their investigation."
They said at the time that their 'deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of this participant', who they did not immediately identify as they were notifying her family.
Ironman Texas also confirmed her death in a statement, saying: "We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today’s IRONMAN Texas triathlon.
"We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. Our gratitude goes out to the first responders for their assistance."
The event comprises of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run.
She was later identified by Brazilian outlet Globo as triathlete and fitness influencer Mara Flávia.
PEOPLE reports that the woman disappeared underwater shortly after the beginning of the swimming portion of the event, and that lifeguards and other competitors tried several times to rescue her before a dive team recovered her body.
Triathlon volunteer Shawn McDonald wrote in a social media post that he and his daughter had paddled alongside the swimmers in case they needed help when someone blew a whistle and a flag was raised for help.
McDonald said he told the athletes to stop and when he got over to those asking for help they told him 'she went under', describing how he dove down and felt her body with his foot' after a minute underwater.
Surfacing for air he dove back down several more times in an attempt to locate Flávia but was unable to find her, explaining that dive teams arrived and using sonar equipment found her at around 9am local time.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
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Joe Harker