According to a forensics report that the Associated Press received, we have learned the cause of death for Swiftie Ana Clara Benevides Machado, who died after getting sick at the Nov. 17th Eras Tour date.
Benevides fainted in the front row of the Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, show while waiting for the show to begin. The 23-year-old died a few hours later at the hospital.
Machado did not have any preexisting conditions or any substances in her system that would have contributed to passing away, the report said. “Heat exposure led to a cardiorespiratory arrest,” it said.
It also said that she had “serious compromise of her lungs and sudden death” due to the 100+ degree heat that day.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, a Brazilian newspaper, a measure combining temperature and humidity that day reached 140 degrees. The heat index was recorded at 137 degrees, a new record.
The concert venue had prohibited fans from bringing water bottles inside, and Taylor Swift had asked security to give fans waiting for their front spots and pilled against gates water.
After Benevide’s death, Swifties created an online petition to change a law in Brazil that would allow free water at venues in Brazil. Brazil’s minister, Flavio Dino, responded, tweeting that personal water bottles would be allowed into the venue and concert promotors must provide free water stations in venues.
