An American tourist plunged nearly 1,000 feet to her death in the Italian Alps after reportedly leaving a marked mountain trail to photograph the surrounding scenery.
Michaelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, 36, was visiting the Dolomites with her family last Saturday when she is believed to have lost her footing near Forcella Pordoi, a dramatic mountain pass overlooking the resort town of Canazei.
The Florida-based communications professional reportedly strayed from the designated route while trying to reach a panoramic viewpoint, then fell approximately 980 feet down an exposed section of mountainside, according to Corriere della Sera.
Her sister alerted the authorities, prompting an emergency response in the rugged alpine terrain.
The emergency service said its Alta Val di Fassa team and an air ambulance were sent to the scene after the 112 control centre received the call.
A mountain rescuer who was already in the area reached the location and gave the helicopter crew the precise coordinates.
Medical personnel were lowered onto the mountainside at around 12.30pm. Despite the rescuers’ efforts, Leiva was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 12.30pm.
According to Italian outlet il Dolomiti, the family had been trekking at an altitude of about 9,000 feet and was heading towards a cable car station to travel to the summit of Sass Pordoi, known for its sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.
Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva was exploring the Italian Dolomites with relatives when tragedy struck. The 36-year-old American reportedly left the marked route in search of a panoramic viewpoint near Forcella Pordoi, above Canazei in northern Italy.
The 36-year-old American reportedly veered from the marked trail to reach a scenic viewpoint before plunging approximately 980 feet down an exposed mountainside near Forcella Pordoi, above Canazei in northern Italy.
Her sister raised the alarm, triggering a rescue operation in the remote alpine landscape. Despite the rescuers’ efforts, Leiva was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 12.30pm.
An excursion through one of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes had ended in tragedy.
Leiva’s relatives were later airlifted to the nearby town of Canazei, while rescue teams carried out the difficult task of recovering her body from the mountainside.
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Forcella Pordoi is part of the Sella mountain group, a striking area of towering limestone cliffs, steep slopes and rocky passes in the UNESCO-listed Dolomites.
While the area is accessible by cable car, crossing the surrounding terrain on foot can be challenging. Steep inclines and loose gravel make it difficult to keep a secure footing, especially along exposed sections where a single misstep can have fatal consequences, according to reports in Italy.
The Dolomites attract visitors from across the world with their jagged summits, dramatic valleys and expansive alpine views. However, the unforgiving terrain can present serious dangers to anyone who ventures beyond established paths.
Leiva was born in Guatemala and graduated from Brigham Young University before pursuing a career in communications and consulting.
Corriere della Sera reported that she was most recently employed by a firm in Miami. She had also taken part in several volunteer projects.
She moved to Rome in 2025 to work as a digital nomad in consulting. It was not immediately known whether she was still living in the Italian capital when the accident happened.
Leiva built a career in communications and consulting after graduating from Brigham Young University. Born in Guatemala, she later moved to the United States and worked for a firm in Miami, while also participating in several volunteer projects.
The family had been walking through the mountains at an altitude of around 9,000ft and was heading towards a cable car station to travel to the summit of Sass Pordoi, renowned for its spectacular views across the surrounding peaks, according to Italian outlet il Dolomiti
Her death has cast a tragic shadow over a visit to one of Italy’s most celebrated natural landmarks.
The Dolomites are renowned for their extraordinary beauty, attracting hikers, climbers and sightseers eager to experience their dramatic mountain scenery.
But beyond the established trails, steep drops and unstable ground can turn an otherwise routine outing into a life-threatening ordeal.
For Leiva’s family, the excursion ended in devastating circumstances, as emergency crews worked to recover her corpse from the unforgiving terrain.
The Daily Mail has reached out for comment to Levia’s family.