Influencer Jerry Gogosian found dead at luxury hotel after cosmetic surgery

Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, better known by her alter ego Jerry Gogosian, was reportedly found dead in a luxury hotel in São Paulo, Brazil, after undergoing plastic surgery

A US influencer has tragically been found dead in a luxury hotel following plastic surgery. Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, more widely recognised by her pseudonym Jerry Gogosian, was discovered lifeless by her plastic surgeon.

The surgeon had been attempting to contact the 40-year-old American artist via phone and decided to visit her five-star hotel when she failed to respond. Hotel staff entered Hilde’s room and found her unresponsive in bed.

An empty vodka bottle, a shattered glass on the floor, and unidentified pills were reportedly discovered nearby. Hilde, originally from Oakland in California, was found deceased at the opulent Rosewood São Paulo hotel in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday (31 May).

The surgeon informed authorities that he had previously escorted her to an emergency care unit following a potential overdose, highlighting her alleged substance use.

She had been in São Paulo for approximately three weeks recuperating from a cosmetic procedure, as reported by NeedToKnow.

The police have logged the case as a ‘suspicious death’ at the 78th District Police Station in Jardins.

Hilde, who built a following of over 150,000 Instagram fans by satirising the excesses, social norms and commercialisation of the contemporary art world, graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute.

She hosted the podcast Art Smack, served as editor-in-chief of the subscriber bulletin The Jerry Report, and collaborated with major names including Sotheby’s, Phillips, and Playboy.

In her last social media updates, she joyfully shared her experiences in Brazil, offering light-hearted advice and expressing enthusiasm about her stay.

Her passing has sparked a wave of tributes throughout the art world, where her incisive commentary garnered both respect and recognition.

The official cause of death is yet to be announced.

“Rosewood São Paulo confirms that the guest Hilde Ann Lynn was found dead on the afternoon of Sunday, May 31,” the hotel said in a statement.

“Since the observation of what happened, the hotel has provided full collaboration with the competent authorities, promptly providing all the information requested to assist in the investigation of the facts. In respect of the privacy of the guest, their family members and the work of the responsible authorities, the hotel will not comment on additional details at this time.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.