American Tourist Dies After Falling Nearly 1,000 Feet in Italy’s Dolomites

Local reports indicate that Michaelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, a 36-year-old American visitor, slipped from a marked mountain path in the Dolomites and fell roughly 980 feet (almost 1,000 feet) to her death. The incident occurred on a steep, loose-gravel section of the Forcella Pordoi, above the town of Canazei, while the tour group was heading toward a cable-car station that provides access to the panoramic Sass Pordoi restaurant. Emergency responders arrived before 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, but Leiva was pronounced dead at the scene.

New York Post

According to the same reports, the tourist left the safe, marked route to reach a panoramic viewpoint, a decision that placed her on an exposed section of the trail. The path’s steepness and unstable footing are noted as contributing factors that make it difficult to maintain balance, especially when deviating from the designated track.

New York Post

Leiva was born in Guatemala, later moved to the United States, and held a degree from Brigham Young University. At the time of the accident she was residing in Miami, Florida, and was employed by a firm there. She had also participated in multiple volunteer projects, as noted in the coverage.

New York Post

Following the fall, rescue teams airlifted Leiva’s relatives to Canazei, where her body was later retrieved after a recovery mission. The Forcella Pordoi area, part of the Sella mountain group, is a UNESCO-listed segment of the Dolomites that attracts many tourists for its dramatic rock faces and panoramic vistas.

New York Post

The incident underscores the hazards of off-trail travel in high-altitude alpine environments, where steep gradients and loose gravel can quickly become life-threatening. Visitors are advised to remain on marked routes and heed local guidance, especially in areas accessed by cable cars but featuring challenging terrain.

New York Post