Model Fernanda Vogel Dies in Crash

Fri, August 3, 2001

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - The body of a young woman found floating off a beach was identified Friday as top model Fernanda Vogel, missing since a helicopter crashed in the sea last weekend.

Her boyfriend, heir to one of Brazil's top retail empires, survived the crash, as did the co-pilot. The body of pilot Ronaldo Ribeiro was found Tuesday.

Rescue workers have been searching for Rio de Janeiro-born Vogel, 20, off the coast of Sao Paulo state since Saturday's crash.

The other two people on board - Joao Paulo Diniz, oldest son of supermarket magnate Abilio Diniz, and co-pilot Luiz Roberto Cintra - managed to swim to shore after the helicopter went down in rough weather near the resort of Maresias, 70 miles southwest of Sao Paulo.

Vogel's body was found Friday floating off Santiago beach, about six miles northeast of the crash site. Two of the model's cousins identified the body from a tattoo on her neck, Globo News television reported.

Joao Paulo Diniz said both Vogel and Ribeiro survived the accident and started swimming toward the beach. He said muscle cramps stopped Vogel from continuing and that she decided to stay floating in the water while he went for help.

The Diniz family - the high-profile owners of the Pao de Acucar supermarket chain - has come under fire in local media since the crash. Reports alleged the helicopter was not authorized to fly the route it took and the heliport at the family's seafront property at Maresias was not licensed.

Diniz has failed to explain why the four were not wearing life vests.