Model drowns after jumping into the sea to rescue her puppies that were blown into the ocean

USA World

Model drowns after jumping into the sea to rescue her puppies that were blown into the ocean

A missing model who fell into the sea during a storm off Sao Paulo has been found dead.

Caroline Bittencourt's husband Jorge Sestini was rescued on Sunday around two hours after jumping into the water to make a failed attempt to save her.

The model's own father Orley participated in the search for the 37-year-old and told a TV program how he helped pull her body from the sea yesterday afternoon.

Caroline, known to Carol as friends, reportedly ended up in the sea after trying to save two pet puppies that had fallen into the water.

Personal trainer Can Saad, a close friend, said: 'She jumped into the sea to save two puppies of hers that had fallen into the water because of the wind.

'It was just her, her husband and the puppies on the boat.

'Jorge jumped into the water to try to save her but they became separated from each other because of the storm.

'He had to swim three hours towards the coast to survive.'

The tragedy happened as the couple, who married in January, were near Ilhabela, a large island near Sao Paulo which means 'beautiful island' in English and offers visitors around 25 miles of pristine beaches, hiking trails and waterfalls.

Caroline's agent Andreia Boneti said her husband was in a 'state of shock', adding: 'Jorge tried to save her. He saw Carol drowning and wasn't able to save her.

'It was a terrible moment for him.'

Bittencourt, who also worked as a TV presenter, made the headlines after being asked to leave Brazilian ex-footballer Ronaldo's wedding to Daniella Cicarelli in France in February 2005.

Reports around the time Caroline was asked to leave Ronaldo's wedding suggested it was to do the fact she was wearing a white dress like the bride.

A friend of Ronaldo's later claimed it was because a businessman who had romanced both Caroline and Daniella was at the event.

She had a 17-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

On Sunday night a male model died after collapsing on the catwalk during Sao Paulo's Fashion Week.

Doctors said afterwards Tales Soares, 26, may have had an undiagnosed congenital illness.