‘SUSPICIOUS DEATH’

U.S. Art Influencer Found Dead in Mysterious Circumstances

The California native had made the trip overseas for plastic surgery.

A 40-year-old American influencer was found dead in a luxury hotel in Brazil after flying to the country for plastic surgery, in what authorities are calling a “suspicious death.” Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, known online as Jerry Gogosian, was found on Sunday in her hotel room by her surgeon after she didn’t answer a phone call, according to Art Review. Authorities have not yet released a cause of death for the California native. She was found surrounded by an empty vodka bottle, a broken glass on the floor, and unidentified pills. According to authorities, the surgeon reported that he had previously taken her to the hospital in a prior incident, possibly due to an overdose, after she confided to him about her substance use. A hotel spokesperson told the publication Hyperallergic that they are collaborating with the authorities but would not share further details out of respect for the guest’s privacy and the ongoing investigation. The star had more than 150,000 followers on Instagram and pursued various ventures after graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute, including hosting a podcast and heading a popular art-world newsletter.