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Wualys Fuentes Aquino was the runner-up in the 2026 Miss Universe Tegucigalpa competition.
Key Points
- Miss Universe Tegucigalpa runner-up Wualys Fuentes Aquino was found dead in her apartment. She was 23.
- Aquino was studying International Marketing and Social Work at the National Autonomous University of Honduras while modeling.
- The Miss Universe Tegucigalpa said Aquino “truly made a difference” with her presence and were “profoundly shaken” to learn of her death.
Miss Universe Tegucigalpa contestant Wualys Fuentes Aquino has died at age 23.
Aquino was found dead by her family on Monday in her apartment in Honduras’ capital city Tegucigalpa after not hearing from her for several days, according to Brazilian outlet O Globo. Authorities are investigating her death and are not ruling out foul play, while also looking into whether she died of natural causes.
The Miss Universe Tegucigalpa organization announced her death on Wednesday in an Instagram post. Aquino was the runner-up in the 2026 pageant, which is followed by the Miss Universe Honduras competition.
“The Miss Universe Tegucigalpa organization deeply mourns the passing of our runner-up, Wualys Aquino; we wish to express our condolences to her family and friends,” the statement reads.
“This news has deeply affected us all, as it happened so unexpectedly. Wualys was a woman who not only shone herself but also helped her fellow contestants shine. She showed us that she was always willing to help; she never said no when it came to supporting her peers.”
“We are profoundly shaken by this news, and we can only be grateful for her presence in this pageant, as she truly made a difference” the statement continued, concluding, “May God have her in her blessed Glory.”
Per O Globo, Aquino was studying International Marketing and Social Work at the National Autonomous University of Honduras while working on her modeling career. She was also active on social media, sharing glimpses into her life while traveling and spending time with loved ones.
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She competed in the Miss Universe Tegucigalpa pageant in June, weeks before her death. Luciana Núñez ultimately won the title.
Days before her death, Aquino posted an inspirational quote via Instagram beneath pictures and a video of her training in a boxing studio. “Boxing isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about how you fight the fight within yourself to keep going when things don’t go your way 🥊,” she wrote.
She also shared black-and-white pictures from a modeling shoot, where fans ultimately paid tribute to her.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
