Yesterday (June 13), at Limeira's Skeleton Bridge, the 21-year-old gym worker lost her life after staff allegedly failed to perform the proper safety procedures before flinging her 131 feet down into a ravine.

Maria was taking part in a rope jump, which is similar to a bungee jump but does not use an elasticated rope. Participants' falls are interrupted in a controlled manner, before they swing from the rope.

Unattached to any kind of life-saving rope, she died on impact as a small crowd at the edge of the bridge realised what had just unfolded; "People, the rope!" and "Guys, the rope!" were two audible comments from online footage of the moment. 

Three people were eventually placed under arrest at the scene. Prior to taking part in the adrenaline sport, Maria had shared her enthusiasm for the day ahead at the Ponte do Esqueleto trail, writing something truly saddening in hindsight.

A woman was thrown of a bridge without a bungee rope (NBC News) In a social media post published around 7.30am local time, Maria's photo was accompanied by the caption: "Who was the crazy person that let me jump off a bridge?" This would be her final message. 

O Globo reported that after police arrived, and later stepped away to help their colleagues park in poor terrain, the suspects allegedly fled into a wooded area. Witnesses apparently told police that the suspects had changed their clothes after the fact. 

They deny doing this and claim they stayed at the location. One of the suspects said in his testimony he changed his shirt because it was wet. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas was fatally launched off a bridge in Brazil this weekend (X) Local media reports that Maria was wearing a GoPro camera during the jump, which has since gone missing. 

Having picked apart all witness testimonies and evidence available to them, the Civil Police later decided that those responsible for the jump could be charged with assuming the risk of causing this deadly outcome, by allegedly allowing Maria to jump without a vital safety line. 

The arrestees were charged with homicide with implied malice, which means the defendant didn't intend to kill someone, but assumed the risk of their death due to their actions. The investigation remains ongoing. Forensic analysis is still to come, which should hopefully clarify what went on. 

Maria boasted training in Physical Education and Sports Management, and her horrendous story has caused ripples across international news. 

Timeline of accidents at Brazil's Skeleton Bridge 

Ponte do Esqueleto, nicknamed Skeleton Bridge, was meant to be part of Brazil’s Federal Railway Network (RFFSA). It’s been abandoned for around 30 years. However, it has remained popular with extreme sports enthusiasts, and this isn’t the first tragedy that has taken place there. 

According to O Tempo, one businessman claimed the bridge receives 500 visitors a month. 

April 2024 

Mum-of-one Kelly Stefani de Oliveira Alves, 39, was cycling with her husband on the Skeleton Bridge when she lost her balance when her foot touched a low wall. Tragically, she toppled off the bridge and fell 15 metres with her bike, dying at the scene and leaving behind a seven-year-old son. 

Following the accident, Brazil’s Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) asked for the bridge to be closed and for danger signs to warn people not to go on it. Nevertheless, activities at the site resumed. 

August 2025 

Two women fall from the Skeleton Bridge and suffer serious injuries. One woman is taken to Santa Casa de Limeira hospital with critical injuries. Another suffers multiple fractures throughout her body.

The former NBA star was once married back in the 90s, however, after five children together, things would change. He and Shaunie Henderson split in 2009, and continued to co-parent with one another, without airing their public grievances. 

However, some of what the pair went through together was alluded to when Henderson released her tell-all memoir, UNDEFEATED: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms in 2024. 

In it, she shared details of her marriage, O’Neal’s infidelity, that he himself admitted to in his own 2011 memoir, Shaq Uncut: My Story. While it was known that the pair were amicable, what people might have been shocked to find that Henderson realized she was never in love with her then-husband.

Shaquille O'Neal and Shaunie Henderson divorced in 2009 (Photo by John Nacion/FilmMagic) "I always had a fear of sharing too much and of telling my story that involved anybody else. I didn't want to disrespect someone else's story, even if it was a part of mine, but as I get older and do more things in the entertainment industry, I found that people have a misconception of who I am," Henderson wrote in her book. 

"Anything involving Shaquille is always a sketchy thing because he is who he is, and despite what our story is, no one ever wants to hear what could come across as not the greatest reputation," she added.

Then, just a day after her memoir was released, O'Neal shared to his Instagram Story, a message, seemingly in response to her written feelings. "I understand...I wouldn't have been in love with me either. Wishing you all the best. All love, Shaq," O'Neal wrote.

Henderson revealed all in her book (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images) It might be strange to read, but for O’Neal, he said he completely understands where she was coming from. In an interview on the It’s Giving...podcast earlier this year, he revealed that he ‘failed’ as a husband to Henderson during their time together. 

When asked about why he agrees with her, he said: “She didn't think she ever really loved me and my response was I wouldn't have loved me either. As a man I was failing. A man has three jobs with a woman. Protect, provide and love. At that point in my life, I failed her in all three areas.” 

He added: “I was an a******. I was an idiot. She was 1000% correct. I failed her as a husband, as a protector and as a provider. She's not my wife anymore but she gave me five beautiful children. I'll always protect her.”

Per The Sun, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas wasn't safely strapped in before taking on a bungee jump - believed to be ran by companies Entre Cordas and Ih Voei. 

While at the adrenaline-seekers' attraction, situated in the city of Limeira, she was filmed being carried towards a gorge in a Superman-esque pose by a pair of staff members. Just seconds after they threw her into the 131-foot void, voices could be heard yelling: "The rope, people, the rope!" 

Despite dispatched firefighters and paramedics at the scene, this horrifying mistake resulted in Maria's death, who'd posted about her thrilling bungee jump adventure only hours earlier on social media. "Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?" read one of her eerie photo captions. Witnesses allege that bungee employees forgot to attach the life-saving safety equipment to Maria prior to her jump. Six people were placed in handcuffs at the scene of the tragedy at the Ponte do Esqueleto trail. 

The company was charging the equivalent of £26.50 for bridge jumps and were advertising five other dates for the coming months. Incredibly, bungee lovers are still able to book future events at the Ponte do Esqueleto trail at the time of writing. 

One woman named Erin Langworthy was very nearly just as unfortunate back in 2012, when her 360ft bridge jump sent her directly into crocodile territory. The Australian native was just 22 years old at the time and plunged into the razor-teethed Zambezi River after her leap of faith went drastically wrong.

Erin was visiting the infamous Victoria Falls, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe, when she decided to give the local bungee jump experience a go - operating off a bridge between the two countries. 

Footage from the day caught Erin making the leap with her arms outstretched, and for the first few seconds everything seemed hunky dory. Naturally, the cord completely embraced the tension, but a sudden and horrifying snap left the tourist free-falling into the Zambezi River. 

Although she admitted to feeling 'nervous' before the jump, Erin never thought 'anything could go wrong', especially since she was the 105th person to perform the stunt that day. In a morbid twist of fate, she'd sent her mum a postcard a day earlier, joking about 'saying goodbye' because of her imminent bungee jump.

Does she secretly have a portrait in the attic somewhere, or has she got access to the fountain of youth? It turns out it's something much simpler than that, after the designer spilled the beans with her secret of staying young. 

Fans were amazed by her looks on the red carpet, as she showed off her figure in a barely-there crop top and trousers showing off a toned physique. 

"Nobody should stop being themselves just cuz they're older. I think this is sweet," praised one social media user. "Love her.... enviable ageing!" added another, while one said: "She looks 60 ish not 74, an impressive feat."

The fashion icon has a serious sweet tooth (Instagram/@verawang) Someone else added: "Homegirl just went and unsubscribed from ageing" One fan joked: "Drop the routine! I assume magic is involved? How much eye of newt? I’m running to the store," and we don't blame her. Wang was all too happy to reveal her secret, and it's probably not what you expect. 

She swears by 'work, sleep, a vodka cocktail, not much sun', and eating McDonald's. I stay out of the sun and love a McDonald's and I definitely don't look like that, Vera. 

She told Page Six about her routine, alleging she sometimes spends two weeks at a time having daily visits to McDonald's, before she gets bored and switches to another fast food joint. 

Wang also says she loves a Dunkin' Donuts too, and her favourite is 'a jelly donut, but it’s cream inside, vanilla cream'. That's not all, she also likes 'the pink with sprinkles, too.' Delicious! She's also a big fan of a McDonald's (Instagram/@verawang) Bad news for fans of a cheeky fridge cigarette though, as the designer said she quit Diet Coke six years ago and now sips water instead. Many of us can relate to her admission that kicking the habit was the 'hardest thing she ever gave up'. 

She added that she goes through 'phases' with her diet, and does try to maintain some balance. "I like sashimi with brown rice and vegetables, Chinese steamed broccoli with chicken and rice, or the artichoke salad or fish," she explained. 

"At one point I was eating a slice of Ray's pizza every day, and I never gained a pound on it. It's not a bad thing if you squeeze out that excess oil. It's so filling." She said though that the main secret to her youth was her career. 

"Basically, I’ve worked my whole life, so it’s really been about work. I think work keeps you young and stimulated. I work very long hours, I’ve raised two daughters. I think keeping busy is the best antidote [for] good health." 

She said the key is to not make it an obsession: "I never thought about going way out of my way to preserve my youth in a fanatical, obsessive way." We'll definitely try the donut and McDonald's bit, for sure.

The special occasion has prompted some spectators to wonder, however, whether Prince William and Kate Middleton might get caught out for breaking some major royal protocol, as they did during their first joint appearance in 2011. 

That June, 15 years ago, the young couple had only just tied the knot. They wed two months earlier, on 29 April, in a grand Westminster Abbey ceremony, having dated since leaving university in 2004. William and Kate's joint appearance on the balcony for their first married Trooping the Colour would, apparently, serve as a test. 

Sure, they'd been papped out and about together on numerous occasions since they took their relationship public, and their royal wedding had been one of the most-watched television events in history, with an estimated two billion global viewers and over 72 million live streams on YouTube. William and Kate tied the knot in April 2011 (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) But they hadn't yet made any formal royal appearances since exchanging vows. By most accounts, they fulfilled expectations by standing politely behind the late Queen Elizabeth, then Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, and a number of other senior royals. 

According to one body language expert, however, one blink-or-you'll-miss-it moment has since gone down in history as William and Kate's first breaking of traditional protocol on PDAs. 

"During earlier Trooping the Colour ceremonies, it wasn’t the done thing for royals to show affection," Darren Stanton told us, on behalf of Betfair Casino. "But when it comes to William and Kate, they’re quite affectionate." 

He went on to recall: "We saw William put his arm around Kate while on the balcony."

At one point during the 2011 celebration, William placed an arm around Kate (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) Apparently, however, William's smooth moves failed to phase Kate, who Stanton claims came across her usual confident self, despite only having been a working royal for a matter of weeks. 

"Kate appeared completely confident at her first Trooping the Colour," he gushed. "Kate has always been fairly confident; we could see she was taking everything in her stride. "We get genuine smiles. She’s quite animated, and her body language is very open and authentic." 

Trooping the Colour describes an annual military parade held in central London to celebrate the official birthday of the British Sovereign. Falling every June, it's also a day designated as King Charles III's Birthday Parade, with the spectacular display of pageantry being performed by personal troops from the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade.

The celebration is also designated as the King's official birthday (Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images) It's expected the ruling monarch will be joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, his eldest son and heir, Prince William, daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, and grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Princess Louis.

The German actress, now 65, made her acting debut aged 13 in Wim Wenders' 1975 road film Wrong Move, playing a mute teenage acrobat. The movie also starred Rüdiger Vogler and Hanna Schygulla, but it is Kinski's appearance and the circumstances surrounding it that have defined its legacy. 

The scene in question saw a topless Kinski lie in a bed as a 30-year-old man got undressed and then got into the bed with her, before proceeding to lie on top of her. 

Speaking about the controversial scene years later, Kinski was unequivocal. "That was my first film, he was my first director, and he didn't protect me," she said. "Even though I didn't know much aged 13, I knew that that was not okay." German director Wim Wenders and German actress Nastassja Kinski have worked together on numerous film projects (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images) Kinski first raised her concerns about Wrong Move in 2011, spending the next 15 years trying to persuade Wenders to withdraw it. 

Mounting backlash over Nastassja Kinski's scene in Wrong Move 

Last month, speaking at the German Film Awards while collecting a lifetime achievement award, Wenders addressed the controversy. 

But his comments were widely interpreted as framing Kinski's demands as a threat to cinematic freedom rather than a legitimate grievance, suggesting that editing the film retrospectively would require a broader industry-wide discussion. 

The backlash was swift, with fellow filmmaker and Babylon Berlin actor Julius Feldmeier publishing an open letter to Wenders, writing that 'it's your responsibility alone to set things right'. Within days, Wenders reversed his course entirely. The film Wrong Move saw Kinski feature in a scene with a man 17 years older than her (Axiom Films)

'I recognize that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then' 

In a statement published on his foundation's website, as well as on Instagram, he announced that the Wim Wenders Foundation, which owns the film, would withdraw it from all current channels of distribution. 

"As the only person responsible at the time for Wrong Move who is still here, I recognize that Nastassja Kinski should have been better protected back then," he wrote. "For that, I apologize to you, Nastassja, unreservedly, no ifs or buts." 

Streaming, TV and distribution partners have been instructed to remove Wrong Move from public access. For academics who study the treatment of young women in the film industry, the decision carries significant weight. "That was my first film, he was my first director, and he didn't protect me" (Axiom Films)

'A film director's ego does not matter more than that' 

Professor Tanya Horeck, a Professor of Film and Feminist Media Studies at Anglia Ruskin University, told The Mirror that the outcome was meaningful, even if it took far too long. 

"It took Wim Wenders an incredibly long time to address and honour what she wanted to happen," she said. "The film as a piece of art is not more important than the fact that a child was harmed. A film director's ego does not matter more than that." 

Professor Horeck was careful to frame the case as part of a broader reckoning rather than an isolated incident. "There is not a time limit on these cases. Trauma is a very complicated thing," she said.

The German actress, now 65, made her acting debut in Wim Wenders' 1975 road film Wrong Move, playing a mute teenage acrobat (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images) "You can't separate what happens on set from the final product. We need to recognise the harm that has occurred on sets, and acknowledge that that has to be part of how cinema is now framed and viewed." Kinski's case is not without precedent. 

She previously campaigned successfully against a television film directed by Das Boot's Wolfgang Petersen, in which she appeared naked at the age of 15, reaching an agreement with broadcaster NDR over its distribution. 

Wenders, 80, is one of the most celebrated German directors of the postwar era, with films including Wings of Desire, Paris, Texas and Perfect Days to his name. Kinski herself went on to star in more than 60 films across Europe and the US: including Paris, Texas, collaborating with Wenders again in 1984.

The 36-year-old superstar was among a star-studded crowd at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs in a dramatic Game 4 victory. 

The win puts the Knicks one game away from their first NBA championship since 1973, with a chance to seal the title in Game 5. Swift arrived wearing a 'Stevie Knicks' shirt and was sat amongst fellow A-listers such as Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, and longtime Knicks supporters Ben Stiller and Spike Lee. 

Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon and Hailey Bieber were among the other celebrity faces spotted in the crowd. But some fans have been wondering who the woman sitting next to Swift is and how they know each other. Two of the most famous Knicks fans (Al Bello/Getty Images) Well, she is none other than the iconic actress Mariska Hargitay, and you’ve probably seen her before if you’re a fan of crime dramas. 

Hargitay is best known for her role on NBC’s long-running drama Law & Order: SVU as Olivia Benson. She’s played the role since 1999, making it the longest-running character of all time in an American primetime drama. 

The 62-year-old actor wore the same “Stevie Knicks” shirt worn by the ‘Blank Space’ singer at the game on Wednesday. The two Knicks fans could be seen cheering and enjoying the game.

Mariska Hargitay is best known for her role on Law & Order: SVU (NBC) Hargitay’s mother was Hollywood legend Jayne Mansfield, an actor, singer and Playboy model who was considered a sex symbol in the 1950s and 1960s. 

She had a number film roles, including The Girl Can’t Help It and Too Hot to Handle, and also starred on Broadway. Mansfield had five children and married three times. She died tragically in 1967 in a traffic collision at the age of 34. Hargitay has openly discussed her mother, with her being just three years old when the tragedy happened. Jayne Mansfield was a Hollywood legend (Bettmann / Contributor) Hargitay and her siblings were in the same traffic collision but survived as they were in the back seat. The TV star made a deeply personal documentary about her mother and her life, My Mom, Jayne. “This movie is a labor of love and longing.

It’s a search for the mother I never knew, an integration of a part of myself I’d never owned, and a reclaiming of my mother’s story and my own truth,” she said in a press release. 

The 36-year-old superstar was among a star-studded crowd at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs in a dramatic Game 4 victory. The win puts the Knicks one game away from their first NBA championship since 1973, with a chance to seal the title in Game 5.

Swift arrived wearing a 'Stevie Knicks' shirt and was joined by the Haim sisters and Mariska Hargitay. Fellow A-listers Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were also in attendance, alongside longtime Knicks supporters Ben Stiller and Spike Lee. Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon and Hailey Bieber were among the other celebrity faces spotted in the crowd. 

But while fans were excited to see Swift at the game, her appearance sparked a wave of social media debate after New York Knicks lead radio analyst Monica McNutt was caught on a hot mic making a pointed remark about the singer.

Taylor Swift cheered on the Knicks courtside (Al Bello/Getty Images) During the broadcast, the radio team appeared to be trying to confirm whether Swift was inside the arena. As they scanned the crowd, someone could be heard asking: "Is that Taylor Swift down there?" Once Swift was located, McNutt quickly responded: "She's not a Knicks fan, get out of here, girl." 

The comment quickly spread online, prompting strong reactions from fans and media personalities alike. 

Among those weighing in was Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who defended Swift's long-standing connection to the Knicks. In a social media post, Portnoy questioned why Swift was being singled out when Madison Square Garden was packed with celebrity guests.

Fans rushed to defend Swift (Al Bello/Getty Images) "Hate to see Monica McNutt going after Taylor Swift," he wrote. "There are plenty of new faces in the crowd, but she doesn't seem to be calling them out. The Knicks are unraveling." 

Is Taylor Swift actually a New York Knicks fan? 

The controversy seems to have started because just a few weeks ago, Swift and her fiancé, Travis Kelce, sat courtside at Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night (23 May) as the Cavaliers hosted the New York Knicks. 

The pair took their seats in Cleveland's Rocket Arena shortly before the opening tip, and fans were quick to share their elation on social media, seeing the couple out and about ahead of their wedding. Kelce is a Cavaliers fan, and people have now accused Swift of switching sides to the Knicks.

One wrote: "Women have no concept of sports loyalty. One week they're a big Cavs fans, as soon as that team loses they'll hop on the ride of whoever is winning at the moment." The problem with this argument, though, is that Swift has been attending Knicks games for over a decade. And she wasn't wearing any Cavaliers merch, while she was decked out in Knicks apparel yesterday. 

In the past, she's been pictured with her arm around former Knicks player Jerome Williams, and also photographed attending 2014 games with superfan Ben Stiller and Amanda Seyfried and a 2015 game with Jimmy Fallon.

Swift attending a 2014 Knicks game with Amanda Seyfried (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) So it seems like she has the bona fides and is just as excited as every other Knicks fans about the team being this close to victory. 

Hitting back at criticism of Swift, one fan wrote: "She went to a Cavs game with her fiancé. She wasn’t wearing Cavs gear. Should she have stayed home?" Another said: "She has been a Knicks fan, for yearssss."

Adam Hencek, 23, and Tomas Feuller, 25, had only weeks ago walked down the aisle and got married to each other, with the Slovakian couple living in Carrick-on-Suir in the Republic of Ireland. 

According to a GoFundMe set up by Adam's aunt Mirka Kohutovičová, which you can donate to here, Adam had died at their home on Tuesday 2 June, and his husband Tomas passed away three days later on Friday 5 June. 

The fundraiser, which has reached its goal, was established to pay for the wake and cremation of the young couple as they were laid to rest together. The Mirror reports that the couple's bodies were laid out for public viewing at Condons Funeral Parlour, Clonmel this Tuesday, with them being taken to Island Crematorium, Cork, the following day for a private cremation ceremony. Adam Hencek and Tomas Feuller had only recently got married (GoFundMe)

'The brightest light on this earth' 

The paper noted that several people from their local community paid tribute to their memory, including a friend named Josephine. She wrote: "To my darling friend, my condolences on your passing to your family at this sad time. 

"Especially to your beloved Tomas. You were the brightest light on this earth and I know you’ll be the brightest star. You will be beyond missed." 

Another who said that Adam had taught her how to play piano described him as 'a brilliant teacher and a gentleman' as she said her thoughts were with his family at this time of terrible grief. 

A further woman who knew the couple through work said 'their energy and love of life was infectious' as she praised their memories and spoke of her sorrow to hear that the two men had passed away. The newlyweds died tragically a few days apart and have since gone for a private cremation (GoFundMe)

'Together in life, together in heaven' 

Several others offered their sympathies to the families of the men who had died 'in the prime of their lives', saying they hoped Adam and Tomas's loved ones would 'find comfort in the memories of happy times shared together'. 

"Such a tragedy. Two handsome young men passing over a month after their wedding," another mourner said as they posted a message of condolences on the couple's death. "Together in life, together in heaven." 

The GoFundMe Adam's aunt set up to help raise money towards their wake and funeral had a goal of amassing €12K in donations, and it met that target within the span of a day after the fundraiser was launched. 

A 26-year-old woman has revealed a bucket list of things she wants to do before she ends her life through assisted dying. 

Annaliese Holland, from Australia, has been sick ever since she was a child, but it wasn’t until later in life that she was told she had a condition called Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy. AAG is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your autonomic nervous system by mistake.

The autonomic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system, which controls body processes such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The condition is extremely rare, and in the US, only 100 people are diagnosed with AAG each year. In just a few months, the 26-year-old will undergo voluntary assisted dying in Adelaide. Annaliese Holland is living with with Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy, and has chosen to die via assisted dying (A Current Affair/YouTube)

'I'm going to die anyway' “I look in the mirror and I don’t see me anymore,” she told A Current Affair. “I see a frail body.” 

The 26-year-old emotionally revealed that she ‘didn’t want to die,’ however, had made the decision due to suffering. “This isn’t me just choosing to end it, I’m going to die anyway,” she said. Annaliese also revealed that she’s put together a 'f**k it' list, which is her twist on the classic bucket list. Annaliese knows the exact date she will end her life, but is keeping it between herself and her loved ones (Annaliese Holland)

Annaliese's 'f**k it' list 

She has a number of moments she wants to experience before she dies, and has already ticked a number of them of, she told the documentary show. This include renting her own apartment, having her dad see her in a wedding dress, and her seeing her friends baby being born. 

'It was the most amazing moment of my life' 

"Not being able to have children and never being able to feel that motherly soul, I thought that maybe if I witnessed it, it would kind of help that little hole in my heart,” she said. 

“It was the most amazing moment of my life, the body is incredible. It was the most amazing moment of my life. So beautiful and now I’m an auntie."

    Annie also had a helicopter ride on her list - which was later ticked off as she was invited to one by A Current Affair. 

Annaliese knows the exact date she will die, however, she’s keeping that between herself and her loved ones. You can donate to Annaliese's GoFundMe here. 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

In August 2020, Vyacheslav Matrosov found himself living out every parent's worst nightmare after discovering that a close friend of his had allegedly been abusing his young daughter. 

The 35-year-old Russian uncovered the abuse after finding sickening videos on pal Oleg Sviridov's phone, showing the 32-year-old forcing the youngster to commit sex acts. A horrified Matrosov informed his wife Natalya of the abuse which had taken place, who described his reaction as 'hysterical'. 

"I had never seen him like that," she told local news outlets, via The Sun, adding that it took him a 'long time' to explain the severity of the situation to her. Vyacheslav Matrosov and his wife, Natalya (East2West) "With his trembling hands, he took out Oleg’s phone and showed me a video," she continued. "You cannot imagine what I experienced when I saw it. I felt sick, I was dizzy, and nauseous." 

Enraged by what had happened, Matrosov decided to pursue vigilante justice and confronted Sviridov over his actions. Matrosov led Sviridov into a remote area of woodland in Russia, near his home in the village of Pribrezhnoye, where he then reportedly forced his former pal to dig his own grave. 

According to The Sun, the dad then stabbed Sviridov, but other reports claim that Matrosov convinced the 32-year-old to take his own life. Sviridov's body was later found in the makeshift grave.

A few weeks later, Matrosov came clean about the incident, telling local police that he'd attacked Sviridov in retribution for him abusing his daughter. The former rocket engine factory worker was arrested and initially faced murder charges, carrying up to 15 years in jail. 

However, it was later ruled that Sviridov's injuries were self-inflicted, with Matrosov instead prosecuted for 'inciting a person to suicide or attempted suicide by threats or abuse'.

Alleged sex abuser Oleg Sviridov (East2West) The location where Matrosov forced Sviridov to dig his own grave (East2West) This charge carries a sentence of up to six years, with Matrosov ultimately handed 18 months behind bars after being found guilty of inciting Sviridov to take his own life. 

He was released six months early and hailed as a hero in his local village, with many residents signing a petition calling for him to be acquitted. 

The case attracted attention around the world, and from prominent figures, with Russian TV star and former presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak, sharing her support for Matrosov. "All parents are standing up for the paedophile's killer," she said at the time, according to The Express.

The couple are getting married at All Saints Church in Cirencester, in what has been described as an ‘intimate but deeply significant’ ceremony. Sperling is the first royal bride since 2020, when Princess Beatrice married Edorado Mapelli Monzi in a private Windsor ceremony. 

Phillips' mother, Princess Anne, and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence are on the guest list, as well as King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. 

The wedding has been described a modern-day Brady Bunch as both Sperling and Phillips have their own children and will blend their families into one. Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips are getting married on 6 June (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) Sperling, 45, works as a senior NHS paediatric nurse. She studied at St. Mary’s University and has worked at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, which is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. 

Sperling is a distant relative of he Duke of Gloucester through her late father, the BBC reports. She has one teenage daughter from a previous relationship and she has also published essays discussing motherhood, faith and other topics. She met Phillips in early 2024 and their relationship became public in May the same year. 

The nurse's family comes from Gloucestershire and she is one of four siblings. In an article she wrote for Woman Alive, she reflected on spending a decade as a single mother.

Phillips and Sperling both have children from a previous relationship (Kate Green/Getty Images) In the earlier years of my journey as a single mother to my daughter, resources were scarce, and the future was uncertain,” she wrote. “Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true selfless love. A love that is able to be solely devoted to your child.” 

The couple’s engagement was announced on 1 August 2025. A statement confirming their union said: "Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement." 

Phillips, 48, is the grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He was married to Autumn Kelly between 2008 and 2021. Together they have two children, a daughter named Savannah Anne Kathleen, and another daughter named Isla Elizabeth. Phillips and his wife confirmed they had separated in 2019 and were planning to divorce.

Weston, who hailed from Birmingham, Alabama, had been traveling around Japan with his family last month when he decided to go out exploring on his own on May 29. Around 6pm on the day of his disappearance, Weston was seen leaving Kyoto Station on his own. 

Sadly that day was the last time his loved ones saw him as the Auburn University student disappeared afterwards. After days of public appeals and searches, Weston's mom, Nancy Higginbotham, has shared a heartbreaking update. 

She wrote on Facebook today (June 6): "Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto. The grief we feel is impossible to put into words. "We are forever grateful for the time we had with our sweet, precious Weston, but cannot begin to understand what life without him will be like." James 'Weston' Higginbotham went missing on May 29 (Facebook / Nancy Higginbotham) Nancy continued to share: "We are deeply grateful to the countless people across the United States, Japan, and around the world who shared Weston’s story, prayed for our family, offered encouragement, and helped in the search efforts. The outpouring of kindness and support has carried us through the darkest days of our lives." 

She proceeded to say that they'd shared Weston's story with the media with the hopes of it helping them locate their missing son. Now, in wake of his death, they have asked for privacy. 

Nancy concluded the post: "Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. We will need them now more than ever. We will always love you, Weston." The cause of Weston's death has not been disclosed.

The Higginbothams had arrived in Kyoto on the same day of Weston's disappearance. Apparently when Weston went off to explore on his own his family had been tracking his movements on the Life360 app.

However, the 20-year-old went on to turn off his location – which his mom said wasn't like him. According to CNN, he had had an argument with his mother over her use of ChatGPT before he decided to go off on his own. 

While Weston went off to explore solo, the rest of his family visited a temple. He was last seen on CCTV footage around 8pm on May 29 walking alone in the Yamashina area. The CCTV camera was on a path leading to hiking trails. 

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email info@grievewell.com.