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Earlier this month, primatologists, environmentalists and other muriqui enthusiasts from Brazil and abroad converged on the small city of Caratinga to celebrate Strier’s 40th year of uninterrupted study.

Two other deaths were reported in the city of Caratinga, including a 41-year-old man who was killed when his car fell into a river while he tried to cross a bridge.

The Latin Grammy winner and four other passengers, including her producer and uncle, perished Friday when their plane crashed while flying from Mendonça’s hometown of Goiania in Goias state to Caratinga, a small city in Minas Gerais state north of Rio de Janeiro.

The star's death was confirmed by a statement from her press office that said the plane crashed between Mendonça’s hometown of Goiania and Caratinga, a small city in Minas Gerais state located north of Rio de Janeiro.

The airplane departed from the midwestern city of Goiania heading to Caratinga, where 26-year-old Mendonca had a concert scheduled for later on Friday, according to news website G1.