Carlos Alberto Mota Candreva, a 32-year-old Brazilian YouTuber, is presumed missing following an incident where he reportedly jumped from the MSC Preziosa cruise ship. The event occurred in the early hours of December 30, 2023, while the ship was traveling from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro.
Candreva, known for his YouTube channel featuring poetry and reflection videos, with 18,000 followers, was on a two-day New Year’s cruise with his girlfriend, Vitoria Barbara Momenso, a 27-year-old modeling agency professional. The couple had a heated argument over their relationship’s status.
According to Momenso, the conflict escalated after Candreva accessed her phone without her knowledge, discovering conversations she had with other men. Momenso stated that Candreva sent screenshots of these messages to friends, expressing thoughts of harming her.
Witnesses on the cruise reported seeing Candreva go overboard from the 15th floor of the ship.
MSC Cruzeiros, the cruise operators, later confirmed that a passenger was reported missing after intentionally jumping overboard.
The Brazilian Navy promptly initiated a search for Candreva, but efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.
Momenso, deeply affected by the incident, required medical attention and disembarked from the cruise the following day. She expressed significant emotional distress and intentions to seek therapy due to the traumatic nature of the events.
Candreva, also an occasional DJ, had recently published a poetry collection titled “Delirious Thoughts Living in the Dungeon” as a Kindle eBook shortly before Christmas 2023. His disappearance has caused a stir among his followers and raised concerns about the circumstances leading to the incident.
The MSC Preziosa, renowned for its luxury amenities, including suites, a cinema, and a water park, was previously the venue for a party attended by Brazilian football star Neymar. However, Neymar had disembarked before Candreva and Momenso boarded for their ill-fated journey.
Additional context to the story was provided by Candreva’s sister, who accused Momenso of financially exploiting Candreva. She alleged that Candreva was under financial strain and had funded the trip to fulfill Momenso’s dream.
The Brazilian Navy’s search operation, while extensive, has not yet yielded results, leaving the fate of Carlos Alberto Mota Candreva uncertain.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Candreva’s disappearance continues, with authorities piecing together witness statements and evidence from the cruise ship. The case has garnered significant attention both in Brazil and internationally, shedding light on the safety measures and protocols in place for passengers aboard cruise ships.
