Female powerlifting champion and influencer Rhayara Morais, 34, is found dead at her home in Brazil

Police are investigating the death of a powerlifting champion and prominent influencer after she was found lifeless in her bed at her home in Brazil.

Rhayara Morais, 34, was found at a flat in Aguas Claras in the country's Federal District, when a concerned friend reported she was unable to reach her.

Morais' body is believed to have laid undiscovered for six days before the discovery on Wednesday.

Police have not confirmed the cause of death or whether there was any criminal involvement. There has been speculation she passed away from a sudden illness. 

The results of the autopsy, which was expected to take place yesterday, have not been made public. 

Morais was found lifeless in her bed after a friend reported that she was unable to contact her

The influencer, who had more than half a million fans on TikTok and nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram, won a regional powerlifting title after taking up the sport around two years ago.

Morais, a former women's football player and law student, showed off her exercise routines and honed body online where she described herself as a digital creator and 'Brasilia Powerlifting Champion'.

She also had her own website where she posted her impressive curriculum. Her sponsors included a nutrition firm and a company producing high-end exercise supplements.

Morais additionally dabbled in journalism, working for the websites Esporte Candango and Rádio Redentor.

No information has yet been made public by officials about a possible cause of death, although there have been no local reports so far pointing to it being crime-related.

The case is being handled by the 21st Police Station (Taguatinga Sul), and experts from the Institute of Criminalistics (IC) have been called in to carry out an examination of the body. 

Social media followers have suggested she died in her sleep from a sudden illness.

Raquel Santos, a friend of Morais, said on social media: 'I thank God for having had the honor and pleasure of calling you my friend.

'The longing hurts but now you are in heaven. Know that you were loved dearly and will leave a legacy of love.' 

A neighbour at the block of apartments where Rhayara lived said in overnight tribute: 'I met her every day here in the condo and I am shocked.

'A polite and extremely cheerful person.'

Another said: 'I can't believe it. I'd often bump into her in the lift and she was always very kind.'

One of her Instagram followers wrote: 'I can't believe this sad and sudden news. Rest in peace beautiful girl. God will receive you in Heaven.'

Last October a former bodybuilding champion was shot dead by two gunmen as he trained in a gym in the city of Botocatu 150 miles south east of São Paulo.

Brazilian Eustacio Batista Dias, 27, was executed after trying to escape his killers when they started firing at him as he chatted to another man between exercises.

The horror moment he was killed was filmed on CCTV.

One unconfirmed local report at the time said the assassins may have been able to confirm their victim's whereabouts through photos and a video he posted as Instagram Stories shortly before being executed showing he was weight-training.

The powerlifting champion worked as a model, influencer and journalist on top of her studies

No information has yet been made public by officials about a possible cause of death, although there have been no local reports so far pointing to it being crime-related

Earlier this month a bodybuilder who showed off his demanding fitness routines to more than 50,000 followers on Instagram was shot dead outside his home in Vila Matilde, one of the 96 districts in Brazilian city Sao Paulo.

Muscled Denis Yoshio, who was dating a stunning model, was gunned down by two men who fled on a motorbike.

The 32-year-old's brother put him into his car and tried him to rush him to hospital before being assisted by firefighters en route who helped transfer him to an ambulance.

The gunshot victim is said to have gone into cardiac arrest after reaching hospital.

One of the bullets that killed him struck his spine.