Report finds toxic substance in pilot's clothes after death from 'oil bath' in PG

A new discovery in the investigation into the death of 27-year-old Gustavo Henrique Lara brought important information about the case that gained national repercussions in July this year. A report from the Paraná Scientific Police, obtained by BnT Online, identified the presence of phenol, a toxic and corrosive substance, in the clothes used by the young man during the so-called “oil bath”, performed to celebrate his first solo flight on Ponta Grossa.

According to the expert, Gustavo’s clothes were completely soaked in the chemical. The document also points out that the lesions found in the body of the victim during necropsy are compatible with the effects caused by exposure to phenol.

The novelty brings important information for the investigation: the material found in the pilot's clothes has a different chemical composition than that identified in the liquid collected from a bottle during the investigation of the case. The Civil Police still need to clarify how the substance reached Gustavo’s body and if there was any change in the composition of the product used during the celebration.

Expertise Finds Differences Between Substances

One of the main points of the new report is the comparison between the samples analyzed by the experts. According to the document, phenol was identified both in the clothes used by Gustavo and in the liquid collected from a bottle during the investigation.

However, the examinations revealed a significant difference in the composition of the materials. In the young man's clothes, the phenol was dissolved in water. In the liquid found in the bottle, the substance was mixed with hydrocarbons, compounds derived from petroleum.

Because they had different compositions, the materials were considered chemically incompatible by the expertise. This means that, so far, the researchers have not been able to establish a correspondence between the liquid collected in the bottle and the product that hit the body of the pilot.

The forensics also failed to identify the origin of the phenol found in the clothes. Another point that remains unanswered is whether the product used in the ritual has been intentionally tampered with or mixed with another chemical.

According to the information disclosed, it would be necessary to analyze an original sample of the aircraft engine oil used in the celebration to deepen the comparison between the materials. The investigation has not established, so far, that there has been intentional adulteration of the product.

Phenol may explain burns identified on the body

The new forensic result also helps to understand the injuries found in Gustavo’s body after death. According to the report, the effects of phenol exposure are consistent with the chemical burns identified during necropsy.

The substance is used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, medicines and other industrial products. It also has applications in certain procedimentos estéticos. However, phenol has toxic and corrosive characteristics, and can cause chemical burns and intoxication.

Contact with the substance can cause serious injury, depending on the concentration, amount and conditions of exposure. The identification of the phenol on the clothes represents a new technical element for the investigation, but it still does not clarify all the circumstances that caused the death of the young man.

Previous report had already identified suffocation and chemical burns

In July, Portal BnT Online had access to the report of Gustavo’s death, prepared by the Scientific Police of Paraná. At the time, the document pointed out that the engineer died of mechanical suffocation caused by edema of the airways due to chemical exposure.

Read also: Man arrested after performing oil bath in young man who died in Ponta Grossa

The edema corresponds to a swelling that compromises the passage of air, causing respiratory insufficiency. During the necropsy, the experts identified changes in the upper airways, in addition to aqueous and bloody lungs, congested liver and contracted spleen.

The examination also found lesions compatible with chemical burns in different regions of the body, including the face, thighs, gluteal region, sacral region and lower abdomen. At the time, the identification of the substance responsible for the framework still depended on the completion of additional examinations.

The discovery of phenol in the pilot's clothes represents a breakthrough in the identification of the chemical agents present during the episode. However, it will still be necessary to clarify the origin of the substance and its participation in the framework that led to death.

Remember how the pilot died.

Gustavo Henrique Lara died on July 16, 2026, after participating in a celebration for the first solo flight at an aviation school of Ponta Grossa. The young man was 27 years old and was an electrical engineer, specialized in the maintenance of hospital equipment. He was also fulfilling his dream of becoming an airplane pilot.

The commemoration took place after the completion of an important stage of his aeronautical training. During the ritual known as the “oil bath”, an instructor dumped on Gustavo a product used in aircraft engines.

The practice, traditionally performed in some aviation schools, marks the completion of the first flight performed individually by the student. Shortly after receiving the product on the body, Gustavo began to have difficulty breathing and had a severe reaction.

Family and friends who were accompanying the celebration tried to help him, and teams of the Mobile Emergency Service (Samu) were triggered.

Gustavo suffered three cardiac arrests

According to the Samu service bulletin obtained by Portal BnT Online at the time, Gustavo presented an anaphylactic reaction, followed by a seizure. The picture evolved rapidly into a cardiorespiratory arrest.

The rescuers began the resuscitation procedures and managed to recover the vital signs of the young man. However, he suffered a second cardiorespiratory arrest, which was also reversed by the care teams.

After being stabilized, Gustavo was referred to a Ponta Grossa hospital unit. In the hospital, the pilot presented a third cardiorespiratory arrest. Despite attempts at resuscitation, he did not resist.

The death caused a stir among family, friends and members of the aviation community.

The instructor was arrested and responded freely.

The instructor named as responsible for pouring the product on Gustavo was arrested in flagrante after the death of the young man. The case was initially registered as manslaughter, when there is no intention to kill.

The man paid bail of R $ 3,000 and was released. The investigation seeks to establish the circumstances of the application of the product and the possible responsibilities for the episode.

According to information released during the count, Gustavo and the instructor maintained a friendly relationship. Family members of the young man also reported that he participated voluntarily in the celebration.

Criminal liability, however, depends on the analysis of the circumstances of the case and the conclusions of the investigation.

Police are expected to complete an investigation on Monday.

The Civil Police of Paraná is expected to conclude, on Monday (21), the investigation that investigates the death of Gustavo Henrique Lara. Delegate Lucas Petry is in charge of the investigation.

With the arrival of the expert results, the police should assess the set of evidence gathered during the investigation and indicate any criminal responsibility. Among the questions that still need to be clarified are the origin of the phenol found in the clothes, the difference between the chemical composition of the samples analyzed and the circumstances in which the product was applied on the body of the young man.

The investigation should also indicate whether there are elements to maintain or change the criminal classification initially assigned to the case. The conclusion of the investigation should clarify which points of the investigation have been effectively resolved and whether there are sufficient elements for possible criminal liability of those involved.