A Florida woman has tragically died after falling hundreds of feet from a cliff in Italy while reportedly attempting to take a photograph.
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Michelle Alejandra Rubio, 36, was vacationing with her family in the Dolomites when the fatal accident occurred on Saturday, October 17.
Rubio reportedly stepped away from a hiking trail near Sass Pordoi, a popular viewpoint more than 9,600 feet above sea level, before losing her footing.
Florida Woman Dies After Falling Hundreds of Feet in Italian Alps
Rubio was hiking in Val di Fassa, in Italy's Trentino region, when she reportedly fell between 656 and 984 feet down a steep slope.
Her sister witnessed the horrifying incident, prompting an emergency response at approximately noon local time.
A rescuer already in the area reached the accident site and provided Rubio's coordinates to an air rescue technician.
The technician and medical personnel subsequently reached Rubio, but a doctor pronounced her dead at the scene.
Rescue crews airlifted her body to Canazei, a ski town in the upper Val di Fassa, along with members of her family.
Authorities reportedly concluded the recovery operation at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Tragic Accident Occurred During Family Vacation in the Dolomites
Rubio and her family were reportedly traveling with a tour group when the accident occurred.
The group had been making its way toward a cable car that transports visitors to a popular restaurant overlooking the Dolomites from the summit of Sass Pordoi.
According to the Italian Alpine Rescue unit, the surrounding terrain presents significant dangers to visitors, including steep slopes, loose gravel and falling rocks.
More than 80 people have reportedly lost their lives in the Dolomites so far in 2026.
Originally from Guatemala, Rubio graduated from Brigham Young University in 2012 before building a career in communications, marketing and business development.
She had spent time working internationally, including a period in Rome last year as a digital nomad in consulting.
More recently, Rubio worked with a Miami-based firm.
Beyond her professional career, Rubio reportedly dedicated time to volunteering abroad, supporting initiatives focused on young people and underserved communities.
