Florida Woman Dies After Falling 1,000 Feet in Italian Alps

A 36-year-old Florida woman died after falling approximately 980 feet in the Italian Alps, according to reports. Michaelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva was exploring the Dolomites mountain range with her family when she reportedly stepped off a marked trail to take a photograph and lost her footing near Forcella Pordoi.

Mediterranean News reported that Leiva, a communications professional, was hiking at an altitude of about 9,000 feet and was en route to a cable car station. Her sister raised the alarm, prompting an emergency response that included an air ambulance and mountain rescuers.

Rescuers were lowered to her location, but medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene around 12:30 p.m. Her body was later recovered. Her family members were airlifted to the nearby town of Canazei.

Leiva, who was born in Guatemala, graduated from Brigham Young University and had worked in communications and consulting, most recently for a firm in Miami. She had also been involved in volunteer projects and had moved to Rome in 2025 to work as a digital nomad, though it was unclear if she was still based there at the time of the accident.

The Dolomites are known for their dramatic scenery and attract visitors worldwide. However, Italian media outlets noted that the terrain can be challenging, with steep inclines and loose gravel posing risks, particularly off established paths. Forcella Pordoi is part of the Sella mountain group, a UNESCO World Heritage site.