TRAGIC backpacker Juliana Marins told her family “I’m not afraid” in a final text before her death on an Indonesian volcano.
The 26-year-old’s mum, Estela Marins, revealed it was written at the start of her daughter’s doomed Southeast Asia trip.
In a message shown to Brazilian programme Fantastico, Juliana said: “Mami, I love you so much. I was heartbroken when we said goodbye.
“Honestly, my biggest concern is letting you, dad, or my sister down. Other than that, I’m not really afraid of much, especially not encountering difficulties.
I was brought up by a woman who confidently tackles any challenge and fearlessly pursues her aspirations. I share that trait. I have my own unique desires and dreams.
“I love you all very much! And I will always be grateful for all the support, care and affection. That is what makes me not afraid.”
Juliana died after falling more than 1,600 feet from a cliff on a hike up Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia, on June 21.
Her body was only recovered three days later, after a complex and delayed rescue operation.
New autopsy ordered
Her body is due to arrive in Brazil today, Globo reports.
There, a second autopsy will be carried out to determine whether she could have survived the fall with timely help.
The request for the new examination was made by the Public Defender’s Office and fast-tracked by President Lula da Silva.
Authorities say the autopsy must be done within six hours of her return to preserve evidence.
The initial autopsy carried out in Bali indicated she passed away due to trauma in less than 20 minutes. However, drone footage and testimonies from witnesses have raised questions about this timeline.
‘Left behind’ on the trail
Juliana, from Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, had been hiking with six tourists and two local guides when she became exhausted and stopped to rest.
The publicist and dancer’s family has since blasted the “botched” rescue mission and claimed her tour guide abandoned her.
“Juliana was in this group, but she got very tired and asked to stop for a while. They kept going, and the guide didn’t stay with her,” said her sister, Mariana Marins.
Guide Ali Musthofa claimed he was only “three minutes” ahead and returned when Juliana didn’t show up — only to find she had fallen.
“I saw the light of a flashlight on a ravine about 150 meters deep and heard Juliana’s voice calling for help,” he said.
Rescue drones later spotted the Brazilian alive on the cliff, but poor weather and lack of equipment delayed efforts to reach her.
She was officially confirmed dead on June 24, and her family has accused Indonesian authorities of failing to provide assistance.
Initial reports claimed rescuers had reached Juliana and provided food and water. The Brazilian embassy repeated this — but it turned out to be false.
“The information we have is that so far they have not been able to reach her because the ropes were not long enough, in addition to the low visibility,” Mariana said at the time.
The ambassador later admitted he had passed on inaccurate reports from Indonesian officials.
