Brazilian Model Drowns While Trying To Save Her Dogs

Any pet owner will tell you that they will go to great lengths to help their beloved animals. That's just what Brazilian model Caroline Bittencourt did, but sadly, it ended in tragedy. Bittencourt was on a sailboat in São Paulo with her husband, Jorge Sestini, when they encountered bad weather. A storm hit their catamaran hard and with the boat in rough waters, their two dogs fell out. Bittencourt jumped into the ocean to save them, then Sestini dove in to rescue his wife. According to TMZ, after a few hours, Jorge was found alive and brought to safety but Caroline remained missing.

On Monday, Bittencourt's body was found on a beach near São Paulo. Her two daughters released a statement on Instagram confirming their mother's sudden passing and thanking their followers for their support. It reads, "We are grateful for the support and affectionate messages we have received from Carol’s friends and fans. This energy drive fills our hearts with so much love."

Caroline's agent told Brazilian news outlet Globo that Jorge is in a "state of shock," adding, "Jorge tried to save her. He saw Carol drowning and wasn't able to save her. It was a terrible moment for him."

Bittencourt had been a model for years, spending time working for high-fashion designers like Roberto Cavalli and Valentino Garavani. She also could often be seen on Brazilian TV. She was 37 years old.

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