Model Tales Soares’ mum and sister blast trolls who blame veganism for him dropping dead on Sao Paulo catwalk
THE grieving mum and sister of a male model who died after collapsing on the catwalk have hit out at cruel trolls claiming he died from veganism. Sick rumours have also been circulated claiming Tales Soares, 26, died because he was anorexic, a drug user or over-stressed. Tales’ death yesterday evening made headlines after he […]
THE grieving mum and sister of a male model who died after collapsing on the catwalk have hit out at cruel trolls claiming he died from veganism.
Sick rumours have also been circulated claiming Tales Soares, 26, died because he was anorexic, a drug user or over-stressed.
Tales’ death yesterday evening made headlines after he was attended to by paramedics in front of horrified onlookers at the Sao Paulo Fashion Week.
Doctors say he may have died from an undiagnosed congenital illness, though they are still awaiting the results of autopsy tests.
The forensic investigator indicated that he now intends to carry out more in depth clinical examinations. He has requested a battery of tests, such as blood and toxicology analysis.
In the meantime Sao Paulo police have registered the death as: “Suspicious with the reason to be clarified.”
CRUEL LIES
His sister Alexandra told G1 Globo that she was unsure of the cause of death, but denounced the lies being spread about him.
She said: “I want to clarify these untruths that are people are saying about him.
“He did Crossfit, yoga, meditated, did not use drugs, had a super-healthy diet. It’s hard to understand. Only when we have the report in hand to know what really happened.
“There are several speculations. They are saying various untruths, such as (that the cause was) anorexia, drugs, veganism, stress or even because they did not offer vegan snack before the parade – some absurd things.”
At the same time, Tales’ mum Heloisa posted on social media a statement saying he was not hungry or suffering anorexia.
The 57-year-old wrote: “I would like to make it clear here mainly following some media stories that Tales Cotta was not without food, because as a mother I always worried about his health and so did he.
“A few minutes before the parade, I asked him if he had eaten and he told me that he had eaten a lot and they had everything backstage.
“I was also informed that he did not suffer from epilepsy and that epilepsy did not kill him.
“He always had great health and always had regular health examinations. Fatalities happen and it was his time. We are all here in passing. I just do not want the media to start making up stories to sell fake information.
“I appreciate everyone’s affection. My son was a ‘golden’ boy. He had no vices. I’m really going to miss him.”
TRAGEDY ON THE RUNWAY
Many initially thought his fall was part of the performance but the devastating realisation dawned on the crowd when paramedics rushed to the stage.
He was whisked to Accident and Emergency in Brazil but sadly couldn’t be saved and was later pronounced dead, show organisers said.
Footage showed him turning around as he approached the top of the catwalk before he appeared to stagger and fall face-first to the ground.
According to Folha Press, Tales reportedly tripped on his shoelace before he fell and was later seen foaming at the mouth.
Initially, there were suspicions he had suffered an epileptic fit due to the way he fell and the appearance of foam at the mouth.
‘IT WAS ALL SO FAST’
The model’s agent, Rogério Campaneli, from MGT Base agency said to FocusOn News: “This has been a shocking series of events that we’re trying hard to piece together. But everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.
“Doctors suspect that Tales might have had a congenital problem. From videos, they believe he died on the catwalk.
“It was all so fast: he kissed a friend behind the scenes who was following him, walked out confidently as usual, then suddenly stumbled, lost his footing and fell.”
Gabrielle Gomes, Tales’ sister, said to Brazilian media, G1 she was unaware of any health problems.
Her brother had regular health check-ups and had no history of epileptic fits or fainting spells.
She said: “Me and my mother spoke to Tales by video call before the parade and he said he was well and said he had just finished eating a carrot.
“We’re very scared and devastated by what happened. He was very healthy, ate healthily and exercised every day. He did cross fit and yoga.”
FAMILY WATCHING
His family, who live in Manhuaçu, in Minas Gerais state, some 500 miles from Sao Paulo, were watching the live broadcast of the parade, when they noticed that Tales hadn’t returned to the catwalk.
Shortly afterwards the transmission was cut off.
A still traumatised Gabrielle said: “My mother called to find out what was going on, they said that Tales had been taken ill and hospitalised and shortly after, the organisation called again and said he had died.”
The cause of death is being investigated and the family are hoping the autopsy report will reveal what triggered the tragedy.
FASHION WEEK SHOCK
A statement by Sao Paulo Fashion Week organisers read: “SPFW has just received the news of the death of model Tales Soares, who suddenly took ill during the Ocksa show.”
The organisers wrote on Instagram: “May God welcome you with open arms! Life is definitely a catwalk, we’re just passing through! Very sad!”
Ocksa said on Instagram they were “shocked” by the model’s death but it has not yet been confirmed how he died.
“The whole team of Ocksa deeply regrets and is appalled by the news of the death of the model Tales Cotta.
“Our sincere condolences go to the Tales family and to the friends of MGT Base Agency. We ask our friends to send prayers and good energies in this moment of extreme pain.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
In a statement MGT Base Agency lamented the death of their fashion model and clarified: “(Tales) has paraded in other editions of the SPFW and other important fashion events.
“We emphasise that Tales never presented or complained about health problems. He had a healthy diet (he was a vegetarian), did not use illicit substances and was considered in full healthy condition to participate in the parade.
“We await the medical report and we ask for respect at that moment of deep sadness. He will be forever in our hearts and memory.”
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