US tourist dies after falling from Italian cliff taking photo

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 22:02 · Archive

A 36-year-old American woman died after falling 1000 feet off a cliff in Italy's Dolomites while taking a photograph.

Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, a 36-year-old American from Florida, died on October 17 after falling from a cliff in Italy's Dolomites. She was hiking in the Val di Fassa valley with her family to reach a cable car station that would take them to a restaurant at the summit of Sass Pordoi. When she briefly left the designated walking path to take a photograph, she lost her footing and fell approximately 1000 feet to her death.

Family members who witnessed the fall called emergency services at midday, triggering an air rescue mission. Her body was recovered two and a half hours later, and she was pronounced dead. Her family members were subsequently flown to the nearby resort of Canazei during the recovery operation.

Leiva was a consulting and marketing professional who had been based in Rome in recent years. According to CNN, more than 80 people have died in the Dolomites in 2026 so far, a four-fold increase on the region's average death toll. The area has become increasingly popular on social media as a tourist destination, but its treacherous hiking tracks have proven deadly for many visitors.

How it is being reported

• Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva: US tourist falls to her death off cliff in Italy trying to take pictureThe 36-year-old US woman reportedly fell off a cliff in the Italian Dolomites after straying from a designated mountain path.The West Australian · 26 Oct, 15:50
• Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva: US tourist falls to her death off cliff in Italy trying to take pictureThe 36-year-old US woman reportedly fell off a cliff in the Italian Dolomites after straying from a designated mountain path.Perth Now · 26 Oct, 15:50

In this story: Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva · Dolomites · Val di Fassa · Sass Pordoi · Rome · Florida

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