Ecuador Mourns the Passing of Miss Universe Semifinalist Lorena Argüello

QUITO, ECUADOR—In a tragic turn of events, Lorena Argüello, a 28-year-old surgeon and semifinalist in the Miss Universe Ecuador 2024 pageant, passed away on June 1st, 2025. The Miss Universe Ecuador organization confirmed her death through social media, expressing their deepest condolences. Angello Barahona, a journalist, reported on his Instagram profile that Argüello was involved in a fatal car accident. "Finalist of Miss Ecuador Universe, Lorena Argüello, representative of Quito, died in a car accident," he wrote. The news has sent shockwaves through Ecuador's beauty and medical communities, highlighting the sudden loss of a talented and accomplished young woman. While details surrounding the accident remain limited, the Miss Universe Ecuador organization and the wider community mourn her passing. Argüello's life serves as a reminder of the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.