An American tourist’s vacation in northern Italy turned tragic when a 36-year-old woman fell from a mountain face in the Dolomites. Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, a marketing and business development professional from Miami, lost her life on October 17. She accidentally stepped off the marked trail, according to local news reports.
Rubio Leiva was near Forcella Pordoi, an alpine pass at an altitude of about 9,000 feet, when she deviated from the designated path. She intended to take a photograph from what she thought was a better vantage point, according to Corriere Della Sera, an Italian national newspaper. Unfortunately, she lost her footing and fell approximately 1,000 feet in front of her sister, as stated by the same news outlet.
The Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue reported, “An American woman lost her life after falling around 300 meters in the Forcella Pordoi area.”
The rescue group noted that while hiking with her family, Rubio Leiva slipped at an exposed point. The hiking party was near the upper cable-car station, preparing to visit the Maria refuge on Sass Pordoi, according to Il Dolomiti, a local news source. Witnesses called emergency services for help.
Though Italian media highlighted her aim to take a picture, Alpine rescue logs recorded simply that she slipped at an exposed point. The Alta Val di Fassa team from the rescue service, along with an air ambulance, responded. A rescuer provided exact coordinates for the helicopter crew.
Medical personnel reached the scene by 12:30 p.m., confirming Rubio Leiva’s death. The family was airlifted to Canazei, while her body was retrieved by helicopter and passed to local authorities, per News.com.au. Rubio Leiva, a Brigham Young University graduate, was a manager with Rubio Contesse Advisors in Florida.
The Dolomites, famous for their scenic beauty, have drawn attention recently due to vast crowds at attractions like Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Viral reports suggest many visitors are more interested in photos than experiencing the mountains firsthand. Over 800,000 people visit Tre Cime di Lavaredo annually, enjoying the Enrosadira phenomenon, which colors the mountains pink and orange at sunrise and sunset, according to UNESCO.