A 15-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has died after drinking gin laced with methanol during New Years celebrations in Brazil.
Soffia Del Valle Torrealba Ramos fell seriously ill after going out to celebrate with friends in São Paulo.
Her devastated mother says she is desperate to find out what happened to her daughter.
Speaking to local media, Nelkis Di Valle Ramos Hernandez said Soffia had asked her permission to go out with her 13-year-old cousin to buy fireworks.
Instead, the teenager went behind her back and met up with friends.
The group purchased a bottle of gin from a nearby shop and then went to a house to drink it.
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Police later confirmed that five other people were present at the gathering.
Soffia returned home at around 9am the next day and went straight to bed.
Believing her daughter was simply exhausted, her mother left for work, allowing the teenager to rest.
When she came back later that day, she was unable to wake her.
As panic set in, Soffia was quickly rushed her to hospital, where she was admitted to Hospital Municipal Cidade Tiradentes.
She remained there under close observation for about two days.
Even with the doctors’ tireless efforts, she could not be saved and died on January 3.
According to her medical records, the suspected cause of death was methanol intoxication associated with medication.
Methanol poisoning can lead to kidney failure and the dangerous build-up of acids in the body.
Officials said no other patients were admitted with similar symptoms.
Authorities are treating the death as suspicious and are investigating the shop that sold the alcohol to the teenager.
Officers seized additional bottles from the premises, though it has not been confirmed whether the exact bottle consumed by Soffia was recovered.
Witnesses who were with her before she fell ill will also be questioned as part of the inquiry.
Government data shows that by December 2025, eleven people had died in São Paulo after consuming alcoholic drinks containing methanol.
If confirmed, Soffia would become the youngest victim of methanol poisoning in the state.
Soffia’s family – originally from Venezuela – moved to Brazil in 2019 and lived in the eastern zone of São Paulo
She was known for her love of football and her close bond with friends and family.
Her wake was took place yesterday at a local church, with burial planned for the following day at a city cemetery.