{"id":2513310,"date":"2026-07-22T23:05:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T23:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2513310"},"modified":"2026-07-22T23:05:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T23:05:23","slug":"miss-universe-contestant-wualys-aquino-dead-at-age-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/miss-universe-contestant-wualys-aquino-dead-at-age-23\/","title":{"rendered":"Miss Universe Contestant Wualys Aquino Dead at Age 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Wualys Aquino<\/strong>, who competed to be Miss Universe Tegucigalpa pageant in Honduras, has died. She was 23.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Miss Universe Tegucigalpa organization deeply mourns the passing of our runner-up, Wualys Aquino,\u201d the organization wrote via Instagram<\/a> on Tuesday, July 21, originally in Spanish and translated in English by Us.<\/em>\u00a0\u201cWe wish to express our condolences to her family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last month, Aquino competed in the regional pageant, which precedes the national Miss Universe Honduras pageant. She finished runner up in the competition, behind first place winner Luciana N\u00fa\u00f1ez<\/strong>, who took home the crown.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis news has deeply affected us all, as it happened so unexpectedly,\u201d the statement read. \u201cWualys was a woman who not only shone herself but also helped her fellow contestants shine.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Tragic Pageant Queen Deaths Through the Years: LaToya Malcolm, More<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tSeveral former pageant queens have tragically died after winning their crowns. Kseniya Alexandrova won Miss Universe Russia in 2017, eight years before she died following a fatal car accident at the age of 30. \u201cIt is with deep sorrow that we announce that our colleague and friend, model Ksenia Alexandrova, passed away last night,\u201d her [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The statement continued, \u201cShe showed us that she was always willing to help; she never said no when it came to supporting her peers. We are profoundly shaken by this news, and we can only be grateful for her presence in this pageant, as she truly made a difference. May God hold her in His blessed glory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brazilian outlet O Globo<\/em><\/a> reported on Wednesday, July 22, that Aquino was found dead in her apartment in Tegucigalpa, the country\u2019s capital. Local authorities told the outlet that Aquino\u2019s family members went to her home after being unable to contact the model, ultimately discovering her body.<\/p>\n

The police have opened an investigation into Aquino\u2019s death. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of foul play or natural causes, as autopsy results remain pending at the time of publication.<\/p>\n

One month ago, Aquino opened up about how much it meant to her to compete in the pageant after being bullied as a teen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 14-year-old girl who was bullied because of her body type healed and shone yesterday. It isn\u2019t easy to stand on stage in front of so many people, but my confidence and potential will take me far,\u201d she wrote alongside a photo of her on stage in the pageant. \u201cToday I can say that I love myself just as I am, because now I understand that God created me in His image and likeness. \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to being known for her role in the Miss Universe organization, Aquino studied marketing and social work while attending university. She also had a passion for modeling, boxing and traveling.<\/p>\n

Less than a week ago, Aquino showed off a recent modeling photoshoot with an empowering message.<\/p>\n

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