Ricardo Godoi, from Brazil, who had 225,000 Instagram followers, wrote on social media before he was due to have a back tattoo, but tragically died after being given an anaesthetic
An influencer’s body is to be exhumed, after he died while about to have a back tattoo in hospital with police launching a probe.
Detectives have confirmed they opened a manslaughter investigation after Ricardo Godoi, from Brazil, died on an operating table. Ricardo, 45, went into cardiac arrest and died on Monday after being given a general anaesthetic at a private hospital in the coastal Brazilian town of Itapema, in the country’s southern Santa Catarina state.
He said in a chilling last message to his 225,000 Instagram followers shortly before the tragedy: “I’m about to undergo a surgical procedure and will only be back here after 4pm.” Police investigators have now confirmed they found out about Ricardo’s death through social media and had ordered the exhumation of his body because he had been buried without a post-mortem taking place.
It also emerged Ricardo’s death certificate stated he suffered a cardiac arrest due to the use of anabolic steroids. But the mystery surrounding what happened arose after a relative told police he had stopped using them five months ago and pre-op tests had shown he was in a fit state to have a general anaesthetic for the inking session.
Detectives told local media they were questioning several people but did not say who they were. Police are hoping to receive the autopsy results in around a week.
The owner of the tattoo studio which was going to ink Ricardo, who had built up a successful business selling luxury sports cars including Ferraris and Lamborghinis, said earlier this week: “What happened was that, at the beginning of the sedation and intubation, he went into cardiac arrest.
“That occurred before they even started tattooing him. He was quickly checked and a cardiologist was called in to try to revive him, unfortunately without success.” A death notice posted on Ricardo’s Instagram on Tuesday said: “It is with great regret that we inform you about the death of Ricardo Godoi yesterday at midday.
“At this painful moment, we show solidarity with his friends and family, wishing them strength and comfort to overcome this unbearable loss. Let Ricardo’s memory be remembered with affection and respect by those who had the privilege of knowing him.” A subsequent tribute said: “Today we say goodbye to Ricardo Godoi, an incredible person who left his mark on the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“His joy, generosity and light will remain present in our memories and in every story he helped to build. May he rest in peace.” The tattoo studio the influencer had arranged to have his inking done by said in a full statement after news of his death emerged: “Ricardo was going to have a full back tattoo done with us under general anaesthetic, sedation and intubation.
“To do this, we hired a private hospital with all the staff, equipment and anaesthetic drugs necessary for the safety of the procedure. We also hired a doctor with a specialism in anaesthesiology and experience in intubation, whose documentation was approved by the hospital.
“Blood tests were requested beforehand, which showed no explicit risk in carrying out the procedure. Ricardo signed the consent form regarding the risk of the procedure.” The hospital where he died had been named locally as Dia Revitalite Hospital.
Overnight it confirmed in a statement Ricardo died at the hospital ahead of the tattoo procedure, saying: “Dia Revitalite Hospital would like to express its deepest condolences to the family of Mr Ricardo Godoi, who unfortunately died during a procedure carried out by a private doctor hired by the tattoo studio and the deceased himself.
“We would like to clarify that the hospital’s actions were limited to providing an operating theatre and the other approved necessary equipment which make up a complete operating theatre. We would therefore like to emphasise that Dia Revitalite Hospital had no involvement in the procedure carried out, nor was any member of our clinical staff involved in any stage of the procedure until the incident.
“As in any case, we are collaborating fully with the competent authorities and providing all the clarifications and documents required by law to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate event. We reaffirm our commitment to the safety and well-being of everyone who uses our facilities and services.”
Speaking ahead of Ricardo’s funeral friend Eduardo Razuk said: “I spoke to him in the morning. Unbelievable, none of us expected that. He’s already in my prayers, Godoi was certainly an enlightened person.”
Another said: “An incredible person. He treated people so well, always with enthusiasm. Rest in peace. You helped a lot of people fulfil their dreams.” Another tattoo artist added on Ricardo’s Instagram: “I am very sorry, but it was a matter of time until a misfortune happened with this type of procedure.”