Tales Soares death: Model who died after collapsing on catwalk 'may have had undiagnosed condition since birth'

A model who died after collapsing on a catwalk in Brazil may have had an undiagnosed condition since birth, doctors said.

Tales Soares, 26, was modelling during Sao Paulo's Fashion Week when he became ill and fell on the catwalk.

He was rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Although his cause of death is not known, his agent Rogerio Campaneli told FocusOn News that he could have been suffering from an undiagnosed condition that he had from birth.

Model Tales Soares wears a creation from Ratier collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. He collapsed and died while walking on the catwalk. (AP)

He said: “This has been a shocking series of events that we’re trying hard to piece together. But everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.

“Doctors suspect that Tales might have had a congenital problem. From videos, they believe he died on the catwalk.

“It was all so fast, he kissed a friend behind the scenes who was following him, walked out confidently as usual, then suddenly stumbled, lost his footing and fell.”

Model Tales Soares is taken from the catwalk by paramedics. (AP)

A photo showed the model lying face down on the catwalk while paramedics treated him. Local media said that audience members initially thought his fall was part of a performance.

Mr Soares’ sister Gabrielle Gomes has said that she was unaware of any health problems and that her brother had regular health check-ups and no history of fits or fainting.

She told G1: “Me and my mother (Heloisa) spoke to Tales by video call before the parade and he said he was well and said he had just finished eating a carrot.

“We’re very scared and devastated by what happened. He was very healthy, ate healthily and exercised every day. He did cross fit and yoga.”

Mr Soares' agent Mr Campaneli has now paid tribute to the model in a touching Instagram post.

He wrote: “Keep shining wherever you are with all the joy you had.

“What a pity that our gods of the universe have taken you, but there must be a reason why they should take you too soon. Shine with the stars. The light is very bright wherever you are.”

View this post on Instagram

Seu lindo !! Continue brilhando sempre onde estiver com toda alegria que vc tinha!! Vai fazer falta menino bom ! vai faltar seu profissionalismo e sorriso fácil !!!💕!! Sua força de vontade que contagia nosso dia . Garoto bom de viver que pena que nosso deuses do universo te levaram antes , mas deve ter uma razão pra que te levassem cedo demais de perto !! Brilhe com as estrelas seu lindo e ahhhh todas as minhas duras era pra ser melhor e vc sabe disso de coração meu orgulho !! Até logo querido que as passarelas que vc tanto amava continue onde vc estiver ! Muita luz é muito brilho onde quer que esteja 🖤🖤🖤🖤

A post shared by Rogério Campaneli (@rogeriocampaneli) on Apr 27, 2019 at 4:39pm PDT

A statement by Sao Paulo Fashion Week organisers read: "SPFW has just received the news of the death of model Tales Soares, who suddenly took ill during the Ocksa show."

The organisers wrote on Instagram: "May God welcome you with open arms! Life is definitely a catwalk, we're just passing through! Very sad!"

A spokesman for Ocksa added: “The whole team of Ocksa deeply regrets and is appalled by the news of the death of the model Tales Cotta.

“Our sincere condolences go to the Tales family and to the friends of MGT Base Agency. We ask our friends to send prayers and good energies in this moment of extreme pain.”