Caroline Bittencourt Drowns While Trying to Save Her Dogs

Brazilian model Caroline Bittencourt died after trying to save her dogs from drowning at a Sao Paulo beach. She was only 37-years-old.

According to reports, the model jumped off a catamaran to attempt to rescue her dogs. Her dogs had fallen out of the boat.

Bittencourt's father-in-law, Alfredo Sestini, told reporters that the model's husband, Jorge Sestini, then jumped into the ocean to attempt to rescue her. Sestini, himself, was rescued hours later.

According to the older Sestini, Bittencourt's body was discovered late Monday near Cigarras Beach in Sao Paulo. Her daughter posted a heartbreaking message on Instagram saying,

“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."

Bittencourt's agent, Andrea Boneti, said the model's husband was in a "state of shock." She spoke to reporters and said:

"Jorge tried to save her. He saw Carol drowning and wasn't able to save her. It was a terrible moment for him."

"We are grateful for all the trust she has placed in us in these years of work and partnership, our condolences to the friends and family of the victim," said her modeling agency, OXYgen Models.

Bittencourt worked in Italy with designers including Valentino Garavani and Roberto Cavalli. She also worked as a reporter for RedeTV! and RecordTV.

In 2005, Bittencourt made headlines when she was kicked out of soccer star Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima's wedding to Daniella Cicarelli. She had crashed the nuptials with her then-boyfriend, businessman Alvaro Garnero.

The news of her death comes just days after a model participating in Sao Paulo's Fashion Week died after getting sick on the catwalk.