Police Investigator: “They Can’t Remember Who Should Have Attached The Rope” – Statement Triggers Fresh Wave of Skepticism and Anger

A stunning admission by Brazilian police has reignited outrage over the June 13 death of 21-year-old Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas at Ponte do Esqueleto in Limeira. During a press briefing, the lead investigator revealed that the arrested crew members “can’t remember who should have attached the rope,” exposing what critics call a breathtaking failure of accountability in the unregulated rope-jump operation run by Entre Cordas and Ih Voei.

Eduarda was carried to the edge of the 40-metre (131-foot) abandoned federal bridge in a “Superman” pose by three helmeted staff, arms outstretched, helmet secured. The safety cord remained coiled on the platform. Viral multi-angle footage captured onlookers’ frantic cries of “Attach the cord!” seconds too late. She plunged to the ground, was still alive on impact, and received desperate CPR from off-duty nurse Rayza Dias, who pleaded, “Nobody dies on my shift.” Eduarda died at the scene.

The investigator’s comment—that the men cannot even recall whose basic duty it was to secure the single most critical piece of equipment—has been met with widespread disbelief. “They can’t remember?” social media erupted. “Three adults, one life-saving task, and they’re drawing blanks?” The statement underscores the casual, almost routine nature of the negligence captured on video: no double-checks, no verbal confirmations, no glances at the rope.

Up to six people linked to the operators have been detained. Three face homicide charges with “eventual intent,” reflecting gross negligence that accepted lethal risk. Police used helicopters to apprehend suspects who fled into nearby woods. This marks at least the third fatality at the unregulated site in recent years, where informal jumps charged around R$180 with zero permits or oversight.

Eduarda’s mother’s anguished words—“That damned rope took you from me forever”—now carry even greater weight. The young physical-education student from Jandira, described as vibrant and adventurous, was buried on Sunday. Public fury has intensified, with calls for murder charges and a full shutdown of such operations on federal property.

The investigator’s revelation has transformed skepticism into fury: if those responsible cannot even identify who failed at the most obvious step, how can any safety protocol be trusted? Brazil faces mounting pressure to regulate—or ban—unlicensed extreme sports before another preventable tragedy occurs. The world is watching.