The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the identity of a Brazilian triathlete and influencer who died during Saturday’s Ironman Texas event in The Woodlands.
“Preliminary investigations indicate she drowned during the swim portion on Lake Woodlands Saturday morning,” according to the sheriff’s office.
“We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today’s Ironman Texas triathlon,” organizers said on social media. “We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time.”
Photos on Araujo’s Instagram show her training for triathlons and as a DJ. Over the weekend, followers expressed sadness and sympathy for her family in comments under her posts. Houston’s KHOU said her partner described her as “dedicated, strong, and kind.”
The annual Ironman Texas triathlon includes a 2.4-mile swim in North Shore Park and Lake Woodlands, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run also around The Woodlands, according to the race website.
“Starting at 7:38 a.m, fire officials searched for the swimmer with rescue boats and located the victim using side-scan sonar at 9:07 a.m.,” Buck said. “Divers from the North Montgomery Fire Department pulled the swimmer out of the water at 9:39 a.m., and the swimmer was pronounced dead at 9:44 a.m.”
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death per normal protocols, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives will also continue their investigation.
“Our deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of this participant,” according to the sheriff’s office release.
On Saturday, Ironman said the organization would not comment further out of respect for the athlete and the athlete’s family.
In 2017, another athlete died during the swim portion of Ironman Texas.
The Houston Chronicle has reached out to Ironman Texas for further comment.