A Peruvian engineer who became an overnight star on TikTok died on Sunday from complications from dengue fever.
Jayner Pinedo, known as the “Dancing Engineer,” fell ill in Condorcanqui, Amazonas, where he works, on July 21 and went to hospital, where he was diagnosed with dengue fever.
After further tests, the 34-year-old man was diagnosed with pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid between the lungs and chest, and was transferred to Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo Hospital in Chiclayo.
Pinedo underwent lung drainage surgery, and on August 1st she posted a video to Instagram of herself performing a dance challenge in her hospital room, something she had always wanted to share.
“A sick man who doesn’t dance doesn’t die!!” Pinedo wrote. “We only have 20 percent of the energy.”
Peruvian engineer Jaynel Pinedo died on Sunday in a hospital in Chiclayo, Peru, from complications from dengue fever. Pinedo, 34, was a TikTok star known as “The Dancing Engineer,” who rose to fame in 2021 after posting videos showing off her dance moves on TikTok and Instagram.
Jaynel Pinedo fell ill while working in Peru’s Condorcanqui department on July 21 and was rushed to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with dengue fever. By August 14, her condition had worsened and she was transferred to the intensive care unit after nearing cardiac arrest. She died on Sunday.
On August 14, his health deteriorated, he went into near cardiac arrest, was transferred to the intensive care unit and intubated.
Health Deputy Minister Ricardo Peña told online news portal Peru 21 that tests carried out while Pinedo was in intensive care revealed that he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“It’s most likely that this underlying condition is associated with this exact outcome,” Peña said.
Pinedo was confirmed dead at 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Lambayeque provincial health department said in a statement.
“During his stay, Jain received comprehensive and ongoing care from our medical professionals and was given the care and support he required,” the health department said.
Pinedo became a social media sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic after posting a video on TikTok of her dancing to “No sé” (“I Don’t Know”), a hit by Exploción de Iquitos, a band formed in her hometown, the port city of Iquitos.
The TikTok post went viral, leading to him appearing with the band in the shoot of the song’s official video, as well as performing at promotional shows for local businesses looking to attract more customers.
“Dear Jainer ‘El ingeniero bailarin’, we remember you with the joy you always transmitted in every performance we attended. We offer our deepest condolences to the family,” Exploción de Iquitos said in a statement.
Further tests revealed that Jayner Pinedo has Hodgkin’s lymphoma, according to Deputy Minister of Health Ricardo Peña.
Jayner Pinedo was known for filming TikTok dance videos with her coworkers.
TikTok’s “dancing engineer” Jaynel Pinedo (left) and former Peruvian congressman Jorge Melendez (right)
Singer and actress Cecilia Brozovic praised Pinedo’s videos for the joy they have caused during the pandemic.
“At a time when we were still experiencing the sadness and anxiety brought on by the pandemic, a character so popular and beloved with her upbeat and infectious dancing emerged!,” she wrote to X. “I am so grateful! Praying for Jayner Pinedo! May God receive you with open arms.”
Former Congressman Jorge Melendez recalled that when he first met Pinedo in 2021, he shared with him the “dream” the engineer wanted to realize.
“Today I learned of his sad passing. He leaves us with a deep sadness but also a huge hole of joy for all of us who enjoyed his dances,” Melendez wrote to X.
Actor and singer Vero Vargas was touched by Pinedo’s final social media post, a dance video on Instagram on Aug. 1. “My King, I have the best memories of the giant heart you took with you to share in heaven! Fly high and continue to radiate your beautiful energy forever. Rest in peace.”
