Kseniya Alexandrova, Russia’s representative at Miss Universe 2017, tragically passed away earlier this week in a rare car accident involving a deer, according to multiple reports. She was 30 years old.
Alexandrova, who was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2017, suffered fatal brain injuries when a large elk smashed through the windshield of her Porsche while she and her husband were driving in Tver Oblast, Russia, on July 5. Her husband survived the accident, but Kseniya remained in a coma until her death on August 15.
Elk are much larger than typical deer, weighing between 320 and 500 kg, with antlers up to four feet long. Her husband, Ilya, recounted the terrifying moment: “From the moment it jumped out to the impact, a split second passed. I didn’t have time to do anything. The elk hit her head, and everything was covered in blood.”
The Miss Universe Organisation extended condolences, praising her grace, beauty, and spirit. Kseniya’s modelling agency, Modus Vivendis, remembered her as “bright, talented, and extraordinarily inspiring.”
Beyond modelling, Kseniya was also a psychologist and television host. She held degrees in finance, cinema, and psychology and worked as a therapist. Tributes poured in, reflecting the loss of a vibrant and accomplished young woman.