Authorities in Texas are investigating after a woman, who multiple reports identified as a popular Brazilian fitness influencer, drowned during the swimming portion of an Ironman triathlon over the weekend.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, in a Facebook post on Saturday, April 18, said, "A participant in today’s Ironman Triathlon in the Woodlands has drowned while participating in the swim portion of the event."
Firefighters rescued the woman from Lake Woodlands, located in the Woodlands area, a major suburb of Houston, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's office did not release the participant's name; however, Brazilian outlets O Globo and O Dia identified her as Brazilian triathlete and influencer Mara Flávia Araujo. Her name also appears on the Montgomery County Medical Examiner's website.
"Our deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of this participant," the sheriff's office said, adding that its major crime detectives were on the scene April 18 investigating.
Ironman Texas also released a statement on Saturday regarding the participant's death, which reads: "We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today’s IRONMAN Texas triathlon."
