Why autopsy of influencer and her daughter found dead in apartment has raised even 'more questions'

What started as a neighbor’s concern over a strange smell in a Rio de Janeiro apartment has turned into one of Brazil’s most puzzling tragedies.

Residents in the quiet Barra da Tijuca district called firefighters after noticing a strong, unusual odor coming from one of the flats. When emergency crews forced entry, they uncovered a heartbreaking scene that’s since shaken locals and social media alike.

Inside were the bodies of 33-year-old model and influencer Lidiane Aline Lorenço and her 15-year-old daughter, Miana Sophya Santos.

The pair hadn’t been seen for several days, and were found in separate rooms: Miana in the living room and Lidiane in a bedroom.

After being found earlier this month, police confirmed there were no signs of violence, saying: "A forensic examination was conducted at the scene and found no evidence of assault."

The story quickly spread online, especially because Lorenço was well known on Instagram, where she shared snapshots of her life as a model and medical student in Rio.

Lidiane Aline Lorenço was a rising influencer and medical student whose death has baffled investigators (Instagram/@lidianelorenco_)

However, what has come next deepened the mystery further.

According to new details shared by The Mirror US, the post-mortem examination has only complicated the case further.

Family lawyer Rodrigo Moulin told Brazilian outlet G1: "(The forensic examination) actually raises more questions, because the police are cautious. They don't want to rule anything out.

"This examination definitely brings up more issues for the case."

After three hours of forensic work, Moulin said the only clear finding was that the apartment’s gas system wasn’t up to code.

He explained: "The heater is installed in a completely irregular manner and the gas outlet from the chimney is inside the apartment itself."

The autopsy findings have only deepened the mystery surrounding Lorenço (pictured) and her young daughter (Instagram/@lidianelorenco_)

That discovery has led police to explore several theories - including possible gas poisoning - though nothing has yet been confirmed.

Moulin added: "The police aren't ruling out any hypotheses yet. Other possibilities have been raised, such as food-related causes, so we have to wait for the forensic results.

"It's still inconclusive."

Both mother and daughter reportedly had pre-existing health conditions; Lidiane suffered from thrombophilia, which can cause blood clots, while Miana had haemophilia, which affects the blood’s ability to clot.

Investigators have even noted that Miana’s body appeared to be in a more advanced stage of decomposition, suggesting she may have died first.

For now, authorities say the death certificate will be vital to determining exactly what happened inside the apartment that day.