Netflix child actress Millena Brandão dies at 11 after suffering 13 cardiac arrests
According to her parents, Thays and Luiz Brandão, Millena began experiencing severe headaches, leg pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite on April 24. Despite multiple visits to the hospital, she was misdiagnosed with dengue fever and sent home without tests.
By April 26, her condition worsened. Two days later, she fainted at home and was rushed back to the hospital, where she suffered her first cardiac arrest. A CT scan later revealed a 5-centimeter mass in her brain, though no neurologist was available to determine its nature.
In the days that followed, Millena experienced a total of 13 cardiac arrests and multiple respiratory failures. She was eventually declared brain dead. Her parents made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support on May 2.
'She never woke up again,' her mother told G1.
Thays Brandão confirmed her daughter's passing in an emotional Instagram tribute, sharing a photo of Millena with angel wings and writing, 'We lost our little girl, but I'm sure she's in the arms of our almighty father.'
Millena's death has sparked grief across Brazil and among Netflix fans, highlighting the tragedy of losing such a young talent with a bright future ahead.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business Recorder
Alarming normalisation of vaping in Pakistani youth
In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed a concerning rise in flavoured vape use among youth and children. Public health experts warn that this alarming trend can spiral into a major crisis. These devices come in tempting flavours like mango, berry, bubblegum etc. and are sold in colourful packaging that often appeals to teens. What began as a perceived 'cool' alternative to smoking is now raising alarm among public health experts. There are several factors driving this trend. Flavours of vapes mask the bitter taste of nicotine and make vaping attractive to beginners. Vaping is widely promoted online via Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where influencers and vape shops market directly to young audiences. These platforms use trendy videos and promotional content to normalize vaping, often ignoring its health consequences. This results in a sharp rise in nicotine use among youth. According to a recent study conducted by the PNR Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences among college and university students in Karachi, nearly 50 percent of students aged 16–19 had tried vaping. In Pakistan's schools and colleges, teachers are noticing early signs of nicotine addiction. These include students showing mood swings, irritability, and trouble in concentrating. School counsellors are also raising concerns about a growing number of cases where students admit to using vapes regularly, pointing toward deepening dependency. Vapes are being marketed as safer than cigarettes, but they still contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. These include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, heavy metals and diacetyl which have been linked to lung damage, including popcorn lungs, heart issues and even genetic harm. Fruity flavour in vapes are the same chemicals causing irreversible damage to the lungs. Doctors are now seeing teenagers with lung damage they'd normally only find in 70-year-olds. Nicotine exposure in teenagers can disrupt brain development, which leads to problems with attention, learning, and impulse control. They may also make teens more prone to addiction to other drugs. Research shows that the adolescent brain is more sensitive to nicotine, and exposure during this period can have long-lasting effects that carry into adulthood. Health professionals warn that vaping is not harmless. It risks becoming a training ground for lifelong nicotine dependence. What may begin as occasional use among youth often leads to habitual consumption. It creates a cycle that becomes difficult to break. Many young users do not view vapes as harmful due to the way they are advertised as safe or modern alternatives. This misconception is dangerous. Experts and NGOs in Pakistan are now calling for a stronger government action. They recommend banning all flavoured vapes, ensuring age restrictions, regulating or licensing vendors, and putting clear health warnings in Urdu and regional languages. But unlike the text-heavy warnings on cigarette packs, which get ignored routinely, these messages must be redesigned for impact. They should be short, visual, and strategically placed on platforms where teens actually spend time. Schools should include vaping awareness in health education programmes, and parents need support in spotting signs like fruity smells, frequent use of lip balm (to cover dryness caused by vaping), increased secrecy, or sudden behaviour changes. Early targeted awareness is the key, before vaping becomes normalized among preteens. Within Pakistan, provinces like Punjab have recognized youth vaping as a public health emergency and begun taking action. In June 2025, the Punjab Government imposed a province-wide ban on the sale and use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches. However, the Lahore High Court later issued a ruling in July 2025 which temporarily blocked the enforcement of this ban until formal legislation is enacted. This allowed many vape shops to continue operating in the meantime. At the federal level, there are currently no unified laws that clearly ban or regulate the sale, advertising, or import of vapes in Pakistan. Neither the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) nor the Ministry of National Health Services has issued specific, enforceable guidelines regarding e-cigarette or vape distribution. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has also not imposed specific import restrictions or taxation policies. This allows these products to flow unchecked through both legal and informal channels. This vacuum causes the unregulated vape market to thrive, with no age-verification, content standards, or advertising controls. Without cohesive federal regulation, the flavoured vape market will likely continue to grow, often through online sales or unregulated import channels. That means more teens may start vaping, with unknown long-term health effects that could be quite devastating. More disturbing is the emergence of a black-market ecosystem where students sell vapes to each other at school after purchasing them through Instagram sellers or arranging deliveries through courier services with no age checks. This growing network makes enforcement nearly impossible. It is no longer just a health issue it's a public safety risk operating in plain sight. This crisis demands immediate and unwavering attention from policymakers, educators, and health agencies alike. Without a national database, real-time data and long-term studies within the Pakistani context, the country is flying blind in a storm. The longer the state delays a centralized and science-driven response, the more this crisis will escalate across the country's youth population. To protect Pakistan's young generation, targeted strategies are needed. All flavoured e-liquids should be banned, with sales restricted to licensed, age-verified vendors. Strong health warnings must be enforced alongside nationwide public awareness campaigns. Support for local research on the health impacts of vaping in Pakistan is essential. Counselling for addicted youth should be provided. A dedicated task force led by the Ministry of National Health Services in collaboration with PEMRA should regulate vape-related content in media and online platforms. Flavoured vapes may be seen as fun, but they hide serious health threats. Unless Pakistan acts fast, with clear national rules and public education, this wave of youth vaping could leave a lasting mark on its next generation. As nicotine addiction quietly spreads through school corridors and digital platforms, the need for decisive and preventive policy becomes more critical each day. Will we wait for our hospitals to overflow with young patients before we act, or will we draw the line now, before it's too late? Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Kim Kardashian faces backlash after promoting costly stem cell treatment
Kim Kardashian has come under criticism after sharing details of a recent stem cell treatment in Mexico. The reality television personality posted images from her visit to Eterna Health, where Dr Adeel Khan and his team treated her for chronic back pain. Kardashian explained on Instagram that she first travelled to Mexico two years ago after tearing her shoulder while weightlifting. She said the stem cell therapy provided 'instant relief' without side effects, prompting her return for further treatment. This time, she aimed to address the back pain she had endured for years, claiming she again felt immediate improvement. Images from the trip included Kardashian in an all-black outfit with sunglasses, posing alongside Dr Khan and her sister Khloé Kardashian. Additional photos showed her in a medical setting during the procedure. While encouraging others with similar issues to research the treatment, Kardashian's post drew criticism from some followers, who felt she was flaunting an expensive healthcare option unavailable to most people. Comments included, 'Wish we all had that luxury' and 'Sounds super affordable,' reflecting frustration over the cost and exclusivity of the procedure. Some critics also suggested her lifestyle choices, such as wearing restrictive clothing, may have contributed to her back problems. Others linked the backlash to previous controversies over her beauty treatments. Kardashian has previously tried unconventional procedures, including the salmon sperm facial popularised by Jennifer Aniston. Kardashian has remained vocal about her willingness to try new treatments, stating in a past interview that she would do almost anything to maintain a youthful appearance. This latest stem cell treatment post has continued a broader conversation online about wealth, access to healthcare, and celebrity influence on medical trends.
Express Tribune
08-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Brooke Hogan questions circumstances around father Hulk Hogan's death, offers to fund autopsy
Brooke Hogan, daughter of late wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, is publicly raising doubts about the circumstances surrounding her father's death and has offered to personally pay for an autopsy amid what she calls growing 'uncertainty.' Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24 at the age of 71. A report from the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center confirmed his cause of death as acute myocardial infarction (a heart attack) and revealed a previously undisclosed battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Brooke, 37, expressed shock over the leukemia diagnosis, calling it 'weird' given what she described as her father's history of good health. 'The man had a very complicated medical history,' she said in a recent Instagram post, adding that she had seen 'multiple near-perfect blood panels' in the past. 'Anyone would want answers,' she wrote. -Instagram/mizzhogan. She also voiced concern that Hulk was reportedly cremated without an autopsy, something she initially 'freaked out' about. However, she later clarified that the cremation had not yet taken place and that Hulk's widow, Sky Daily, was 'doing the research.' Brooke, who was estranged from her father in recent years and was reportedly removed from his will, did not attend his funeral. In her posts, she emphasized that her motive is to protect her father's 'dignity and legacy.' In contrast, Sky Daily, 46, pushed back against what she characterized as 'conspiracy theories' and 'heartbreakingly misleading media stories.' In a heartfelt Instagram statement, she said Hulk was 'deeply loved' and 'well cared for' until his final moments. She confirmed he had not yet been cremated, stating the family is taking time to ensure 'every question about his medical care is answered.' Sky also recalled the emotional funeral held at the same church where she and Hulk were married and baptized in 2023, describing it as 'one of the most beautiful and moving days' of her life.
