An Israeli tourist attending a Madonna concert in Rio died near the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Alma Bohadana, 22, fell from a wall after being allegedly assaulted at the world-famous tourist spot.
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She had just left a trail not far from the iconic giant statue of Jesus Christ with another Israeli tourist when she was attacked by the criminals.
Her friend Dan Hen told police that Alma was frightened by the approach of men on a motorcycle demanding her valuables.
As a result, the 22-year-old sank about 15 meters (50 feet) in a wooded area.
Alma had been traveling through Brazil for the past three months and had spent most of her time in Bahia, in the northeast of the country.
Then he headed to Rio 10 days ago for Madonna’s sold-out concert on the beach.
Dan told police that the men on the red motorcycle had asked for her belongings and she had tried to drive away, according to local media.
The event occurred on Rua Almirante Alexandrino, in Santa Teresa, in the central region of the capital of Rio de Janeiro, on the afternoon of Monday, May 6.
Locals in Bahia said she had a nice smile, spoke English and was committed to learning about the local culture.
Dan said he and Alma had been standing very close to the child safety barrier and that one of the men advanced toward the Israeli woman, causing her to try to walk away.
But he lost his balance on the wall and fell 15 meters into a wooded area, while the men on the bicycle fled the scene.
Bohadana’s death is being investigated by the Capital’s Homicide Police Station, which is investigating whether a motorcycle was in the area when she and the other tourist fled.
Dan said he ran down some stairs to look for her, but it was hard to find her because it was dark and there were a lot of trees.
He said that when he managed to reach her she was still alive and crying in pain, but she had suffered several fractures and died before firefighters could reach the scene.
Two other witnesses who saw the young man go down the stairs to help Alma also gave statements at the Homicide Police Station, which is investigating Alma’s death.
An Israeli friend who was traveling with Dan and was staying at the same hostel told the police that they had arrived in Rio for the Madonna concert and had decided to stay there for a few more days.
Rio police said in a statement: “Further measures are being taken to clarify the facts and circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.”
An employee at the Salvador shelter where she stayed said that Alma was “always smiling, radiant, talkative and very intelligent.”
He said the young woman had a drawing on a wall in the shelter and added: “She had learned samba and shared a lot of her Israeli culture with me.
“Everyone in the shelter loved her and it was impossible to be different. She will stay here forever, with us, in the mandala that she painted with so much love in every detail.”
The investigation is ongoing.