Powerlifting champion and influencer Rhayara Morais, 34, found dead at her home in Brazil

Police are investigating the death of a powerlifting champion and high-profile influencer after she was found lifeless in her bed at her home in Brazil.

Rhyara Morais, 34, was found in an apartment in Aguas Claras, in the country’s Federal District, when a worried friend reported that she couldn’t reach her.

Morais’ body is believed to have remained hidden for around six days before the gruesome discovery on Wednesday March 27.

Police have not confirmed the cause of death or whether there was any criminal involvement. There has been speculation that she died due to a sudden illness.

The results of the autopsy, which was to take place yesterday, have not been made public.

The influencer, who had more than half a million fans on TikTok and nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram, won a regional powerlifting title after taking up the sport about two years ago.

Morais, a former women’s soccer player and law student, showed off her exercise routines and perfected body online where she described herself as a digital creator and a “Brasilia Powerlifting champion.”

She also had her own website where she posted her impressive curriculum. Its sponsors included a nutrition company and a company producing high-end exercise supplements.

Morais also moved into journalism, working for the websites Esporte Candango and Rádio Redentor.

No information has yet been released by authorities on a possible cause of death, although no local reports so far indicate it is crime-related.

The case is being handled by the 21st Police Station (Taguatinga Sul), and experts from the Institute of Criminalistics (IC) were called in to examine the body.

Social media followers suggested she died in her sleep following a sudden illness.

Raquel Santos, a friend of Morais, said on social media: “I thank God that I had the honor and pleasure to call you my friend.

“Desire hurts, but now you are in heaven. Know that you have been greatly loved and will leave a legacy of love.

A neighbor in the building where Rhayara lived said in tribute overnight: “I met her every day here in the apartment and I am shocked.

“A polite and extremely cheerful person.”

Another said: “I can’t believe it. I often met her in the elevator and she was always very nice.

One of her Instagram followers wrote: “I can’t believe this sad and sudden news. Rest in peace beautiful girl. God will receive you in Heaven.

Last October, a former bodybuilding champion was shot dead by two gunmen while training at a gym in the town of Botocatu, 240 kilometers southeast of São Paulo.

Brazilian Eustacio Batista Dias, 27, was executed after trying to escape his assassins when they began shooting at him while he was chatting with another man between exercises.

The horrific moment he was killed was captured on CCTV.

An unconfirmed local report at the time said the killers may have confirmed their victim’s whereabouts through photos and a video he posted on Instagram Stories shortly before his execution, showing him doing weight training .

Earlier this month, a bodybuilder who was showing off his demanding fitness routines to more than 50,000 followers on Instagram was shot dead outside his home in Vila Matilde, one of 96 neighborhoods in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

Muscular Denis Yoshio, who was dating a stunning model, was shot dead by two men fleeing on a motorbike.

The 32-year-old’s brother put him in his car and tried to rush him to hospital before being helped by firefighters en route who helped transfer him to an ambulance.

The gunshot victim reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest after arriving at the hospital.

One of the bullets that killed him hit his spine.