By now, most people know that Juliana Marins died after falling over 600 meters from an active volcano in Indonesia. But what exactly happened? How did she end up in such a situation? Her social media posts left behind an intimate and emotional record of her journey, revealing how she was feeling in her final days—a stark contrast to the events unfolding behind the scenes.

A Life of Adventure, Authenticity, and the Pursuit of Transformation

Juliana Marins, 26, was more than a Brazilian influencer with tens of thousands of followers. Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, her life took a radical turn when she left her job in advertising and set off alone across Asia, driven by a personal quest for meaning, growth, and connection to what truly matters. This decision marked the beginning of a journey through Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia—documented on her social media with photographs and reflections that showcased a rare sensitivity in the influencer world.

Through her Instagram account, which had over 269,000 followers, Juliana shared her vision of adventure through the breathtaking landscapes she explored. Her posts combined images of hidden beaches, extreme hiking trails, open skies, and remote mountains with deep reflections on fear, freedom, the beauty of the present, and the emotional challenges of solo travel.

One of her passions was pole dancing, which she practiced not just as a physical discipline, but as a form of empowerment and personal exploration. Her connection to her body was part of a larger lifestyle that included hiking, climbing, yoga, and meditation. She described herself as a strong, independent woman, but also deeply spiritual—open to the unknown, closely connected to nature, and grounded in human bonds formed in every country she visited.

Those who knew her insist she wasn’t a superficial traveler. She spoke with locals, stayed in family homes, avoided overcrowded tourist routes, and sought out less-traveled paths. That’s how she ended up at Mount Rinjani, an active volcano standing over 3,700 meters tall on the island of Lombok, Indonesia. It was there that her adventure came to a tragic end.

The Mount Rinjani Accident and the Desperate Rescue Operation

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, during a guided ascent of Mount Rinjani, Juliana Marins fell approximately 600 meters down a steep area known as Cemara Nunggal. Weather conditions were unfavorable: thick fog, unstable ground where the sand swallowed every step, and low visibility made the Pelawangan Sembalun route—one of the volcano’s most demanding—even more dangerous.

According to Brazilian outlets like G1 and UOL, Juliana Marins was part of an international group accompanied by a local guide. At a critical point in the climb, she reportedly said she was too tired to continue, but the guide did not stop. She fell behind, eventually becoming separated from the group. Alone and without guidance, she slipped and disappeared down an almost vertical slope with extremely difficult access. Shockingly, she survived the initial fall. For several days, she remained alive—without clean water or shelter—amid volcanic rocks, in a hostile environment and with no cell signal.

The rescue effort, which included both local and international resources, lasted three days. Helicopters, drones, and specialized mountain teams were deployed, but the geography, persistent fog, and rain complicated every approach. Aerial drone footage showed Juliana Marins conscious and moving among rocks, sparking a wave of hope among her followers and loved ones, who followed every update on social media.

Her body was eventually found on Tuesday, June 24, more than 650 meters from where she had begun her descent. An official cause of death has yet to be released, but exhaustion, dehydration, and injuries from the fall are believed to have been fatal. The news shocked Brazil, where major media outlets highlighted her courage and the tragedy of her passing.

The incident also sparked debate about the risks of adventure tourism in physically and geographically demanding areas. Many questioned whether safety protocols were sufficient and if tour guides were adequately prepared for such extreme conditions.

Juliana Marins’ Final Posts

Just days before the accident, Juliana Marins posted some of her most heartfelt reflections on Instagram. On May 29, she wrote, “I’ve never felt so alive,” a phrase that became symbolic after her death. The post featured a serene photo of her smiling while gazing at a mountain landscape.

On June 11, she posted again: “If you never try, you’ll never fly,” alongside a series of photos from Indonesia’s natural wonders. These words are now seen by her followers as an unintended but fitting farewell, reflecting the life she chose to lead—free, intense, and in constant motion.

During the rescue operation, her family created an account to share updates, which quickly surpassed 1.5 million followers. From there, they posted messages of hope, organized donations, and shared images from her final journey. Eventually, they published the message confirming her death.

What stirred the most outrage, however, was the fact that Juliana Marins was not rescued by the official teams but by a group of volunteers. Mountaineer Agam Rinjani was the first to reach her body. He stayed with her through the night, securing her remains to prevent them from falling further, ensuring they could be returned to her family. While authorities spent five days attempting to reach her, Agam managed to do it in just one.

Today, according to an autopsy conducted by Indonesian authorities and reported by CNN Indonesia, it was revealed that Juliana Marins died 20 minutes after the fall due to internal chest bleeding. Yet video footage shows her conscious days after the incident. Another unsettling detail is the appearance of altered images—like one where her shoes, visible in the original, had been digitally removed.

Juliana Marins was not just a traveler or an influencer. She was a woman who dared to leave everything behind to listen to her own voice. She died on the mountain, but left a profound mark on those who followed and knew her. Her story reminds us that living fully is not recklessness—it is authenticity.

Reference:

• G1/”Juliana sufrió una gran negligencia por parte del equipo de rescate”, dice la familia de la turista fallecida en Indonesia. Link

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