An American art enthusiast and socialite has been found dead in Brazil under circumstances officials are describing as suspicious. The woman, Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, 40, had traveled to São Paulo for a cosmetic surgery procedure.
Helphenstein’s body was discovered in her room at the Rosewood São Paulo hotel on Sunday. Her plastic surgeon found her after reportedly being unable to reach her by phone, according to a report from Globo.
Inside the hotel room, authorities found an empty vodka bottle, prescription medications, and shards of broken glass, the outlet reports.
The surgeon informed officials that Helphenstein had been using drugs and mentioned that he had taken her to the hospital just days prior due to a suspected overdose.
While the exact cause of death has not been determined, local authorities have initiated an investigation, labeling the circumstances of her death as suspicious.
An official cause of death has not been released and local officials have launched an investigation after determining the death was suspicious.
Helphenstein, who had been in Brazil for about three weeks, was an artist and creator behind the popular Instagram account Jerry Gogosian.
The satire page amassed more than 152,000 followers and often featured the artist commenting sarcastically on the art world or her personal life within the industry.
Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, 40, was discovered by her plastic surgeon at the Rosewood São Paulo on May 31
The Rosewood São Paulo released a statement confirming that Helphenstein had died
Helphenstein anonymously launched the account in 2018 before revealing her identity two years later. She announced in June 2025 that she would be stepping away from the page yet was still actively posting as recently as this week.
The socialite also published a Substack welcoming readers to dive deeper in her life beyond the ‘art fairs, parties, and memes’ she often posted.
Helphenstein said she celebrated five years of sobriety in the 2024 Substack and was also a survivor of Typhus Rickettsia, a life-threatening bacterial disease that left her bedridden for a year.
Additionally, she co-hosted of a podcast called Art Smack, published a newsletter, and had plans of starting a television show, according to Art Review.
The luxury hotel confirmed her death according to a statement reported by Globo: ‘Rosewood São Paulo confirms that the guest Hilde Ann Lynn was found dead on the afternoon of Sunday, May 31.’
‘Since the observation of what happened, the hotel has provided full collaboration with the competent authorities, promptly providing all the information requested to assist in the investigation of the facts.’
Helphenstein was an artist and creator behind the popular Instagram account Jerry Gogosian, which amassed more than 150,000 followers
She published to Substack that she had been sober for past five years and was also a survivor of Typhus Rickettsia, a life-threatening bacterial disease
‘In respect of the privacy of the guest, their family members and the work of the responsible authorities, the hotel will not comment on additional details at this time.’
According to public records, Helphenstein lived in Coral Springs, Florida.
News of her death prompted followers to flood her Instagram page with tributes.
One user wrote: ‘May you finally be at peace, you will be missed.’
Another added: ‘Rest in power my friend. thanks for all the chats and laughs throughout the years.’
A third wrote: ‘Thanks for bringing the world your unique perspective. This is so sad. RIP Queen.’
