Gabriel Diniz.Photo: Gabriel Diniz/Instagram
Latin pop starGabriel Dinizhas died in a plane crash in Brazil, his record label confirms. He was 28 years old.
The singer was reportedly flying from Salvador to his girlfriendKaroline Calheiros’s birthday party in Maceió on Monday when the small plane he was a passenger on crashed in the town of Porto Do Mato, Estância, on the southern coast of Sergipe, Brazil.
The military policeconfirmed to local news mediaGrupo Globo’s G1.com that Diniz, as well as pilots Linaldo Xavier and Abraão Farias were onboard and perished in the accident. A manager for Diniz did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The cause of the crash is reportedly still under investigation.
Diniz, known for his 2016 hit “Paraquedas,” had released new single “Jenifer” last fall, quickly racking up YouTube views.
He had 4.6 million followers on Instagram, and hisfinal postshows him performing at a concert in Feira de Santana, Brazil, over the weekend.
“Always a joy to return to Feira de Santana and be greeted with such joy and with so much positive energy, thank you for the kindness guys. A real crowd enjoying our show. Until next time, God willing,” his caption, translated to English, reads.
“One of the greatest rising artists in Brasil. He was so talented, a being full of light. One of the happiest people I’ve ever met my whole life. The Universal Music family are mourning his absence. Rest in peace my friend. May your songs be eternal and help to soften this pain. Lots of strength and comfort to his family and friends,” Universal Music Brasil president Paulo Lima said.
Diniz was good friends with soccer playerRoberto Firmino, 27, whopaid tribute to the star on Instagram.
Posting a video of the singer performing at Firmino’s wedding in 2017, he wrote, “There are things that are hard to believe, the chip does not fall. The message of love and joy that you left here on earth was incredible. Glad to have met you. Rest in peace.”
Gabriel Diniz.Gabriel Diniz/Instagram
Firmino’s wife,Larissa Pereira, 31, alsooffered her condolences via Instagram.
Posting a photo of herself and her husband with Diniz and Calheiros, she wrote, “He participated in the happiest day of my life. He was there, doing his best,” referring to her wedding.
“I really do not know what to tell you, I wanted to be here just wishing you happy birthday, but I also say that I’m praying a lot for you,” Pereira wrote to Calheiros. “Asking God to comfort your heart and understanding you to understand that his plans are sometimes not ours, but what matters is that one day we will all find ourselves in a much better place.”
source: people.com
