I'm Not Afraid of Much': The Heartbreaking Message of the 26-Year-Old Backpacker Who Died in a Volcano Crater

Months before her fatal fall, the young traveler left behind a message that now reads like a final goodbye.

Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old Brazilian advertising professional, was found dead on June 24, 2025, after falling into a ravine near the crater of Indonesia's Mount Rinjani. Her passing drew international attention at the time because of the complex rescue effort — and now again, after her mother shared a poignant farewell message the young traveler had written months earlier.

As news about her death circled the world, Juliana's parents, Manoel and Estela Marins, appeared on Brazil's "Fantástico" on June 29 for an exclusive interview.

On the show, Estela read a message their daughter had written to her at the start of her trip. The emotional note highlighted Juliana's strong bond with her family and the internal conflict she faced leaving them behind.

"Mommy, I love you so much. My heart broke when we said goodbye. Actually, that's the only thing that worries me: disappointing you, Daddy, or my sister. Other than that, I'm not afraid of much, least of all hardships," she wrote.

In the same message, Juliana credited Estela for shaping her independent spirit and resilience. "I was raised by a woman who can solve any problem and who isn't afraid to go after her dreams. I'm like that too. I have different desires and dreams. I love you all so much! And I'll always be grateful for all the support, care, and affection. That's what keeps me from being afraid," she added.

The incident took place last month. Juliana had been backpacking through Southeast Asia since February and had already been to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. On the morning of June 21, she set out on a hike with five friends and a guide on Mount Rinjani, Indonesia's second-highest volcano.

Around 6:30 a.m. local time, she slipped and fell from a cliff surrounding the volcano's crater. According to one group member, the terrain was difficult, visibility was poor, and the climb was extremely challenging. Despite surviving the initial fall, she was stranded and heard screaming for help.

Rescue efforts began immediately but were severely hindered by the harsh terrain and thick fog. Drone footage from that day showed her alive and moving below the path in the gray volcanic soil.

Yet, when rescue teams descended about 300 meters to her presumed location, they were unable to find her or get a response. By the next morning, drone visuals confirmed she had moved from the initial location, prompting further search complications.

Over the following days, poor weather and climate conditions halted operations multiple times. On June 24, three days after the fall, rescuers finally reached her body after descending 600 meters into a ravine.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency later confirmed that the descent involved 50 personnel. Though her body was located, bad weather delayed the recovery process. It was expected to resume early the next morning.

That same day, her family publicly confirmed her death. In a message posted to social media, they wrote, "With great sadness, we inform you that she did not survive. We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of affection and support that we have received."

They also expressed concern that the trail had not been closed following the incident, especially given recent fatalities on the mountain, including the death of a Malaysian tourist just weeks earlier.

By June 27, Juliana's body had not only been recovered, but an autopsy had been performed in Indonesia. The results concluded that she died from internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma.

Her injuries included damage to internal organs and bone fractures, with death estimated to have occurred less than 20 minutes after the bleeding began.

Furthermore, coroners ruled out hypothermia, noting no tissue damage on her fingers. Toxicology results are expected in the following days.

The message read on "Fantástico" isn't isolated. Juliana's Instagram account, which documented her travels, has a post from May 27 mentioning her family. Alongside photos of them near waterfalls and rocks, she described a call filled with emotion.

"Today I called them crying from missing them. I ended the call with a big smile on my face, laughing at my parents' silliness, and with peace in my heart for having come into the world in this family," she wrote in the caption. "Oh, and of course my sister had to leave at the beginning of the conversation because she had to join a meeting."

Mount Rinjani, standing 3,726 meters high, draws thousands of tourists annually. However, its rugged paths have proven fatal before. Now, Juliana Marins' tragic death and the details of her final days serve as reminders that life can end in a second.