An 11-year-old child actress has tragically passed away in São Paulo after experiencing multiple cardiac arrests. Her family is alleging medical negligence, and the cause of her death remains unclear, a situation that has deeply affected Brazil and raised significant questions about the healthcare system.
Millena Brandão, an 11-year-old Brazilian child actress, died on Friday, May 2, 2025, following a severe health decline over several days. Her passing resonated strongly on social media, where thousands expressed their sorrow.
The young actress, known for her roles in productions such as “Sintonia” on Netflix, “A infância de Romeu e Julieta,” and “A Caverna Encantada” on SBT, had been hospitalized after presenting various symptoms, including headaches, fainting spells, and multiple cardiac arrests. Health officials are now examining whether there were any issues with the care she received at three different hospitals in São Paulo.
A Series of Concerning Symptoms Unfolded Before Her Death
On April 24, Millena was initially taken to the Hospital Geral de Pedreira, located in the southern part of the city. At that time, she was conscious but complaining of a headache. Her mother, Thays Brandão, recounted that “the doctor said it was dengue fever but didn’t perform any tests,” and instead, she was sent home with a recommendation to take dipyrone.
Two days later, Millena’s pain persisted, preventing her from participating in a fashion show. Her family returned to the same hospital, where she was examined again. However, tests did not reveal any abnormalities, and she was advised to rest. By April 27, her symptoms had worsened to include drowsiness, loss of appetite, and more intense headaches.
On the night of April 28, Millena fainted at home. Her parents rushed her to the UPA Maria Antonieta (an urgent care center), where she arrived unconscious but regained consciousness. At this facility, common viral infections were ruled out, and she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. She was prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers, but her pain continued.
According to her mother, a nurse even downplayed Millena’s symptoms. “She told her not to scream, that it wouldn’t make the pain go away,” Thays Brandão stated. The situation took a critical turn the following day when the young girl suffered her first cardiorespiratory arrest. She was intubated but never regained consciousness.
Admission to the Hospital
Millena was subsequently transferred to the Hospital Geral do Grajaú on April 29. There, a CT scan revealed a five-centimeter mass in her brain. It could not be determined whether the mass was a tumor, cyst, or blood clot, and the hospital lacked neurologists available to address her condition.
Doctors decided against transferring her to the Hospital das Clínicas due to her unstable state. “Simply moving her body caused cardiac arrests,” her mother explained.
Over the following days, Millena experienced a total of 13 cardiac arrests and seven respiratory arrests. The medical team attempted resuscitation repeatedly. Following this, they began the brain death protocol and confirmed it with an EEG. In the end, her parents authorized the removal of life support.
Farewell Message
Two days after her passing, her mother posted an open letter dedicated to her daughter on Millena’s official Instagram account. Accompanying an image of Millena with wings and a halo, she wrote:
“On 05/02, we lost our little girl, but I am certain that she is in the arms of our Almighty Father and in a beautiful place to play. The memories we made together will be kept in my memory, and I will never forget her joy that spread to everyone around her.”
In the emotional message, Thays expressed the family’s grief, “The pain of not having you here already afflicts us. I know we will feel it much more in the days to come.”
She also affirmed her faith that her daughter would continue to illuminate their lives from above, adding, “I will love you eternally, and you will forever be in my heart.” Millena is also survived by a younger sister, with whom she shared a very close and loving relationship.
Official Investigations Underway
The São Paulo Municipal Health Department has reported that an internal investigation has been opened to examine the care Millena received at the UPA Maria Antonieta. They stated that her case was classified as urgent and that she was transferred to the Hospital do Grajaú through the SIRESP system.
The Hospital Geral de Pedreira stated that its staff followed clinical protocol. Meanwhile, the Hospital de Grajaú, where they confirmed Millena’s brain death, assured everyone that it had provided intensive care from the moment they admitted the patient.
Both institutions expressed their condolences for her loss and reaffirmed their willingness to cooperate with the family in clarifying the circumstances of the case.
A Young Actress’s Journey and Dreams
Millena had over 180,000 followers on Instagram and was part of the En’Cena artistic company. Throughout her short career, she participated in television projects and dreamed of achieving stardom. In October 2023, she celebrated her entry into SBT with the phrase, “And the dream came true… Whoever believes, always achieves.”
Her passing leaves a void among those who knew her and followed her career. The definitive cause of her death has not yet been established, and a biopsy of her brain tissue may provide further information.
Social Media Reaction
The news of Millena’s death generated a significant volume of comments on social media. On Facebook, many users expressed shock, shared theories, and offered condolences. Many questioned how such a young child could suffer so many cardiac arrests.
One user asked, “How is this even possible?” Another wrote, “How can an 11-year-old have heart attacks?” A woman expressed her bewilderment with the message, “This is heartbreaking and devastating. 11 years old is far too young. RIP.”
There were also those who raised suspicions. One user stated, “Definitely need to have an autopsy done.” Someone else commented, “Something smells fishy. Investigate the parents.” A woman hypothesized, “Energy drinks? Dehydration? Heart Defect? Was she around anyone new that could have dosed her? Only 11 years old how absolutely tragic 😔 [sic].”
Despite the controversy, several messages focused on the pain of the loss. One woman wrote, “Oh my! Poor sweet soul. 😞 May she Rest in Peace.” The comments collectively demonstrated the sadness, confusion, and demand for answers that often follow the death of someone so young.
