Brazilian police have launched an investigation into Time For Fun, the company that organized Taylor Swift’s shows in Rio de Janiero, after a fan died in sweltering temperatures.
A spokesman for Rio de Janeiro’s civil police said the consumer delegations department had opened an investigation into the “crime of endangering the life and health” of concertgoers.
“The organizers of the event will be called to testify and further steps to investigate the matter are underway,” the statement said.
Ana Clara Benevides Machado, 23, lost consciousness at the Nov. 17 show and was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her cousin told local news outlets that she probably suffered cardiac arrest.
Police say the investigation has nothing to do with Machado’s death.
Ana Clara Benevides Machado, 23, was treated at the scene by medical staff before being rushed to hospital after fainting at Taylor Swift’s Friday night show in Rio de Janeiro
Taylor Swift fans waited for the doors of the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium to open for her Eras Tour concert on Saturday amid a heatwave in Rio de Janeiro before the show was canceled
In scorching temperatures, fans outside the arena were hosed down with water hoses
The show took place amid a record-breaking heat wave, as temperatures in the stadium rose to 138 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swift said in an Instagram Story after the show that she was “overwhelmed with grief” over the young fan’s death.
The pop star appeared to have difficulty breathing during the same concert.
In a TikTok video, she turned away from the audience and took a few quick deep breaths before starting the next song.
Fans took to social media, calling on T4F to ensure there was access to water and using the hashtag “T4F WE DEMAND RESPECT.”
The company released a statement the day after Machado’s death offering condolences to her family and friends.
“Last evening, Ana Clara felt unwell and was taken by a team of emergency responders and paramedics to a medical center at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium so that first aid protocol could be applied,” they wrote.
“Given the situation, the medical team decided to transfer her to Salgado Filho Hospital. “After almost an hour of emergency care, she sadly passed away.”
The company announced that fans would be able to enter the next two shows with bottled water and some sealed food items.
Despite the measures, Saturday’s performance was postponed.
Before her death, Benevides took a flight for the first time to visit her favorite musician
Swift posted a message on social media after Saturday’s concert was canceled
Before the concert, Machado was seen wearing a Taylor Swift t-shirt and signature “Swiftie” friendship bracelets
Following the 23-year-old’s death, fans started a petition on change.org calling for free water to be provided at events
Swift posted a message from her dressing room that read, in part: “The safety and well-being of my fans, fellow cast members and crew must and will always come first.”
T4F is the third largest live entertainment company in Latin America. Sweeping changes were made after Machado’s death.
“Considering the predicted increase in the heat wave in the city of Rio de Janeiro, we inform you that we are reinforcing the special action plan carried out for the first day of the fair, in particular the provision of free water in the queues and at all entrances and entrances to the stadium and in Inside,” the company wrote in a statement.
“New free water distribution points will be available to the public during the event.”
“Entry to the stadium with sealed glasses of water and sealed processed foods is also permitted, with no limit on items per person.”
The company’s owner, 71-year-old Fernando Luiz Alterio, worked in the financial sector before turning to music and entertainment.
He co-founded T4F in 1987 under the name CIE Brasil. The company has hosted artists such as Madonna, Britney Spears and Coldplay and is responsible for the Lollapalooza and Primavera Sound festivals.
Alterio is also the boyfriend of actress Mônica Martelli, who is 16 years younger than him.
A fan cools down with a bottle of water amid the heatwave
Fans suffered high temperatures while waiting for Saturday’s show
T4F’s owner, 71-year-old Fernando Luiz Alterio, has extensive experience in the music and entertainment industry
Machado had taken her first flight ever to travel from the Midwest region of the country to see her favorite musician.
To keep her family updated, she started a WhatsApp group and sent photos and videos along the way.
On the way to Rio, Benevides sent a video to family members telling them: “Mom, look at the plane, it’s moving.” Mom, I’m on the plane. Oh my goodness! I am happy!’
Before the concert, she posted a video on Instagram of herself dressed in a Taylor Swift t-shirt and signature “Swiftie” friendship bracelets.
She told her followers, while fanning her face, that she had arrived at 11am – the show started around 7.30pm – and was “still in chaos”.
Machado’s official cause of death has yet to be determined, but Swift claims the 23-year-old died before the show began.
Social media videos captured chaos in the stadium as fans refused to give in to the oppressive heat.
Swift’s PR boss Tree Paine was seen handing water to a tired-looking fan while security guards held her down.
During the show, Swift took matters into her own hands and threw water bottles into the crowd from the stage.
One fan claimed she suffered second-degree burns after falling on the metal floor in the pit
She attached a photo of her bandaged legs to the post
Other fans also said they needed medical attention.
“I suffered second degree burns on both legs and right arm from falling on the metal floor in the pit surrounding the stage,” one fan wrote before posting a photo of her bandaged legs.
Brazilian fans have launched a petition calling on officials to provide free water at every event in the country. Over 340,000 signatures were collected.
The Latin American leg of the Eras Tour started in Mexico City in August. These shows were followed by three in Buenos Aires and three more in Rio de Janiero.
Swift is scheduled to play in São Paulo at the end of the week before moving on to Tokyo.
The Brazilian concert series was marred by tragedy when another young fan, Gabriel Milhomem Santos, was killed hours before Sunday’s performance.
The 25-year-old was reportedly stabbed to death on Copacabana Beach.