What began as routine symptoms—headaches, leg pain, and fatigue—quickly spiraled into one of the most tragic and baffling medical emergencies seen in recent memory.

A rising star in television, whose vibrant presence had already captured hearts, suffered an unimaginable medical collapse marked by an astonishing 13 cardiac arrests in just two days.

Her sudden death has not only left a family grieving but also a country searching for answers.

Now, questions surrounding her care and the system that failed her are coming to light.



Millena Brandão, an actress and model known for roles in Sintonia, A infância de Romeu e Julieta, and A Caverna Encantada, died at 11 years old after a harrowing series of medical episodes that stunned doctors and devastated loved ones.

Though she had no prior serious health issues, her final days unfolded in a flurry of misdiagnoses, missed opportunities, and mounting distress.

It all began on April 24, when Millena reported a severe headache and leg pain.

She grew drowsy, lost her appetite, and fainted. Her mother, Thays Brandão, sought help immediately, visiting multiple clinics and hospitals across São Paulo.


But rather than uncovering the cause, doctors repeatedly diagnosed her with dengue fever and sent her home with pain medication.

Despite worsening symptoms, including fainting and difficulty staying awake, no scans were performed.

On April 29, Millena collapsed at home and was rushed to urgent care. By then, she was unconscious in her father’s arms.



Also read: 24 minutes dead: A parent's near-death experience and what it taught her about life beyond!

Only after her first cardiac arrest did doctors finally perform a CT scan. It revealed a 5-centimeter mass in her brain—yet by that point, it was too late.

Millena endured 13 cardiac arrests between Wednesday and Thursday. She was intubated and resuscitated multiple times, but never regained consciousness.

The exact nature of the brain mass remains unknown. Only a CT scan was performed.

Without the ability to examine it directly, doctors could not determine whether it was a tumor, a cyst, an edema, a clot, or another condition.



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Thays Brandão has bravely spoken out, detailing how her daughter’s pain was repeatedly minimized.

At one facility, a nurse reportedly scolded Millena for crying. “She told her not to scream, that the pain wouldn't go away like that,” Thays said.

She also questioned why her daughter wasn’t transferred sooner to a facility with pediatric neurologists. Thays wondered why they didn’t send her to Hospital das Clínicas

“She got worse, with two to three cardiac arrests per day… There was one day when she had seven respiratory arrests.”


Millena began her career in October 2023 and had already made a name for herself in film and television.

Her performances were filled with warmth and energy, drawing praise from viewers and colleagues alike.

As her family mourns, they also hope her story brings attention to the importance of timely and thorough pediatric care.

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Have you or a loved one faced challenges getting a proper diagnosis? Do you have advice for navigating the healthcare system when symptoms are ignored? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—your voice could help another family find answers when it matters most.