Venezuelan beauty queen Wilevis Brito, 24, dies following surgery on jaw and lip

Venezuelan model Wilevis Brito reportedly went into cardiac arrest and died after she underwent facial surgery at a hospital in Caracas on Monday.

The 24-year-old beauty queen had maxillofacial operation at Domingo Luciani Hospital, where a doctor removed a lump on her lip and treated an abrasion on her jaw, local media outlets reported.

Brito was recovering from the procedure before she encountered severe complications and died. 

A beauty pageant contestant who participated at a 2023 event alongside Brito spoke to Venezuelan digital news outlet El Pitazo  on condition of anonymity and revealed that Brito did not undergo the surgery to alter her facial appearance.

'She was undergoing jaw surgery due to maxillofacial wear and tear and a small lump that formed at the level of her lip,' the woman said. 'To avoid future complications, she decided to have surgery. But not for cosmetics or beauty, but for health.

'She apparently came out of the operation well, then came the complications,' she added.' 

Wilevis Brito died Monday after she reportedly went into cardiac arrest following a maxillofacial surgery at a hospital in Caracas, Venezuela. The beauty queen was 24 years old

Venezuelan beauty queen Wilevis Brito died from complications she suffered after she had surgery on her jaw and lip at a hospital in Caracas

A man who identified himself as Brito's brother on social media also confirmed that the young woman did not elect to have a cosmetic procedure.

Maxillofacial surgery is a dental specialty that involves the treatment of injuries to the mouth, teeth and jaws. 

'She is my sister, and she was not undergoing cosmetic surgery. They were draining an abscess and they put her under anesthesia,' he wrote. 'Unfortunately she never woke up and went into cardiac arrest ... focus on giving positive comments, not on making judgments that no one asked for.' 

Brito migrated several years ago to Argentina and studied social communication at the Interamerican Open University in Buenos Aires.

She worked as a presenter for A24, an Argentine news cable channel, and América Tucumán, its sister station.

Brito was a runner-up in the 2021 Miss Venezuela in the World pageant that was held in Buenos Aires for migrant beauty queens who had abandoned the once oil rich nation and settled in Argentina. 

She returned to her native country and in 2023 crowned Queen of Sport of La Guaira, her home city.

Brito was crowned as the Queen of Sport of La Guaira in 2023

A priest at the St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral sprinkles holy water over the coffin of Wilevis Brito on Wednesday

Brito was also know for her charitable contributions with the Simón La Guaira Foundation

While living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the beauty queen worked as a presenter for A24, an Argentine news cable channel, and América Tucumán, its sister station

During her free time, Brito would often volunteer with the Simón La Guaira Foundation.

'No one imagines that someone young, full of life and so happy, would get complicated in this way,' a foundation worker said on on condition of anonymity.  'That's why it hurts a lot. We will always remember Wil, for her treatment of those around her, for her inner beauty, not for the crowns she had won.'

Brito was laid to rest Wednesday following a funeral service at the St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral

'We said goodbye to our beloved Wilevis, a young woman who will be remembered for her charisma, her smile and her willingness to give love and help those most in need,' La Guaira Governor José Terán said on Instagram.