All about Adair Mendes Dutra Junior: The fashion influencer who died after his fox eye cosmetic surgery went wrong

The Brazilian fashion and beauty community is mourning the loss of Adair Mendes Dutra Junior, better known to his thousands of fans as Junior Dutra, after the 31-year-old influencer passed away on October 3, reportedly due to complications from a cosmetic procedure gone wrong.

With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, Junior wasn’t just another stylish face on the internet. He was an architect by profession, a beauty enthusiast by passion, and a digital personality who had carved out a niche by sharing his love for fashion, grooming, and aesthetic treatments. Based in São Paulo but originally from Minas Gerais, he had grown to become a recognisable figure in Brazil’s lifestyle influencer scene.

But in the months leading up to his death, Junior had spoken openly about a medical ordeal that started after he underwent a cosmetic enhancement surgery earlier in the year - a procedure that would come to haunt him.

Back in March, Junior reportedly underwent a ‘fox eye’ surgery, a trending aesthetic procedure aimed at giving the eyes a lifted, elongated shape for a feline-like appearance. It's a look that’s surged in popularity thanks to beauty influencers and viral social media trends.

While the ‘fox eye’ lift can be performed through surgical options like a canthoplasty or temporal brow lift, or through less invasive routes like fillers and Botox, it's not without risks, something Junior would soon learn firsthand.

In September, just weeks before his passing, he appeared in an interview with Brazil’s Feed TV, where he spoke candidly about his experience. He alleged that the procedure, performed by well-known cosmetic surgeon Fernando Garbi, had left him with an infection. He also shared videos with the network, some showing him mid-procedure, and others revealing a swollen, bruised face in the days that followed.

Junior stated he had sought treatment at a hospital, and that a dermatologist had been monitoring his recovery. Despite his efforts, his health continued to decline.

In a separate interview with Brazilian magazine Quem, Junior’s close friend Gean Souza recalled the influencer’s final moments. Speaking in Portuguese, Souza said that Junior’s condition worsened rapidly.

“He became ill, felt very short of breath, and was taken to the nearest emergency room at a public hospital,” Gean shared, reflecting on that tragic day, October 3. Unfortunately, Junior did not recover.

Before his passing, Junior had already taken legal steps in connection with the procedure. According to documents obtained by Brazilian outlet Portal Leo Dias, he had filed a formal complaint with São Paulo’s 15th Police District. In it, he accused surgeon Fernando Garbi of six serious charges, including illegal practice of medicine, fraudulent misrepresentation, and serious bodily injury.

The complaint indicates that Junior was seeking legal accountability for what he believed to be medical negligence. His case now adds to a broader, ongoing conversation about cosmetic surgery regulation, influencer culture, and medical responsibility in Brazil and beyond.

Following Junior's death, Dr. Fernando Garbi’s legal team released a statement on Instagram, denying any involvement in the tragic outcome.

Written in Portuguese, the statement read that Dr. Garbi had no “connection” to Junior’s passing, and that the accusations were being made by “people eager for brief moments of notoriety.”

It continued, “All legal measures, in the civil and criminal spheres, will be taken against the authors of the insults and slander, so that they respond, to the exact extent of their responsibilities, for the injuries perpetrated against Doctor Fernando.”

No further public comment has been made by Garbi at this time.

Beyond the Instagram grids and beauty tutorials, Junior Dutra was someone who had turned his passion into a platform. As an architect, he understood form and symmetry. As a style content creator, he knew how to translate that understanding into wearable aesthetics. He collaborated with brands, posted grooming advice, and embraced a curated yet approachable digital persona.

His journey into cosmetic enhancements was, by many accounts, part of his professional world - both as an image-conscious individual and a creator who often spoke about self-presentation. His openness about beauty treatments and aesthetic procedures helped normalise these choices for a growing audience of young Brazilian men interested in self-care.

The "fox eye" look refers to a subtle, lifted effect around the outer corners of the eyes - popularised by runway models and influencers alike. Medically known as canthoplasty, the procedure can involve repositioning skin and tissue around the eye area to create a more elongated, almond-shaped appearance.

Some opt for surgical lifts, while others go the non-invasive route with fillers or threads. While many surgeons perform it safely, experts warn that when done improperly, it can lead to nerve damage, infection, scarring, and in rare cases, long-term complications.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists this trend as one of the more "controversial" procedures due to its aesthetic risk versus reward balance, especially when performed by non-specialists or under unregulated conditions.

Junior Dutra’s tragic passing is more than just a loss to the influencer world, it’s a stark reminder of the risks that come with cosmetic procedures, especially when aesthetics are prioritised over safety.

His death raises important questions about medical accountability, the blurred lines between influencer culture and cosmetic marketing, and the pressure many feel to alter their appearances in an ever-competitive digital world.

As tributes pour in from fans and friends alike, Junior’s legacy may serve as a wake-up call for both the beauty industry and its followers, to approach enhancement with caution, to vet professionals rigorously, and above all, to prioritise health over hype.