Millena Brandão, a well-known child actor, passed away at the tender age of 11 after experiencing several heart attacks, as confirmed by her heartbroken family.
Brandão gained recognition for her role in the Netflix series “Sintonia,” a Portuguese-language drama that is particularly popular in Brazil.
Her family shared the tragic news on Instagram on Sunday, May 4, announcing that she had died on May 2.
“Open letter to my little girl. On 02.05 we lost our baby girl, but I’m sure she’s in the arms of our Almighty Father and in a beautiful place to play.
“The memories we spent together will remain in my memory and I will never forget your joy that spreads to everyone around you. My girl, I miss you not having you here and I know I will miss you even more in the days to come!”
The heartfelt message went on: “You were a light in our life and I know that from above you will continue to look over us and light up our lives.
“And I will love you forever, and you will always be in my heart.
“I love youuu bby girl!! ️
“27.12.2013 [to] 02.05.2025.”
Following the passing of her daughter, Thays Brandão has been speaking to the press, providing insights into the symptoms her daughter faced.
Thays explained to G1: “She got worse, with two to three cardiac arrests per day. She had 13 arrests in total. She had never had that before. There was one day when she had seven respiratory arrests. Sometimes they gave her massages and other times they gave her shocks [with a device called a defibrillator].”
Initially, doctors suspected dengue fever, but subsequent tests suggested a urinary tract infection, leading to her being sent home with antibiotics.
Shortly thereafter, Brandão experienced a cardiac arrest and was moved from UPA Maria Antonieta to Granjaú General Hospital.
“There was no neurologist there. They only did a CT scan, and the doctors said they saw a 5-centimeter mass in her brain,” Thays revealed to local media.
“But they don’t know if this mass was a tumor, a cyst, an edema, a clot… because they couldn’t open her head to see. And now that she died, they’re going to do a biopsy to find out what was in her brain.”
No official cause of death has been announced.
Both the General Hospital of Pedreira and UPA Maria Antonieta expressed their sorrow over Brandão’s passing.
In a statement, Grajaú General Hospital said: “The diagnosis was confirmed after strict compliance with the protocol established for these cases.
“The family was present at each stage of the care, being kept informed with respect, acceptance, and all the support necessary in this moment of deep pain.
“We stand in solidarity with the family and reaffirm our commitment to providing dignified and humane care.”