Lito Sousa, aviation influencer, dies at 59 from rare degenerative disease

Lito Sousa, a prominent Brazilian aviation influencer and former aircraft mechanic, died on October 1, 2026, at age 59 in São Paulo from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal neurodegenerative condition. His death was confirmed by his wife, Mila Seidl, through a farewell video posted on Instagram. Sousa died approximately 41 days after publicly disclosing his CJD diagnosis to followers.

Sousa was born Joselito Geraldo de Sousa on January 25, 1967, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. He entered aviation at age 14 through a Brazilian Air Force technical course and built a 36-year career in the sector before becoming widely known. He worked as an aircraft mechanic and flight safety supervisor at major Brazilian carriers including Varig and Transbrasil, as well as at United Airlines, where he served as international head of aircraft maintenance. He obtained his private pilot certification in 2021. Sousa founded the YouTube channel Aviões e Músicas (Airplanes and Music), which accumulated over 3.5 million subscribers, making it the largest aviation-focused channel in Brazil. The channel explained complex aviation topics—including accidents, maintenance procedures, and safety protocols—in accessible language for general audiences. Between 2011 and 2021, Sousa balanced his aviation career with content creation; he left his job in 2021 after his channel's follower count exceeded his employer's. The channel gained particular prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond content creation, Sousa built a broader business portfolio under the Lito Group umbrella, which included the Lito Academy (offering professional training for mechanics, pilots, flight attendants, and engineers), a program addressing fear of flying (which he stated had helped over 5,000 people), consulting services, and aircraft parts inspection. He authored two books: Onde Morrem os Aviões (Where Airplanes Die) and Medo de Avião Nunca Mais (Never Fear Flying Again). At the time of his death, his companies employed approximately 20 full-time staff members based in Guarulhos, São Paulo.

Sousa's health challenges began in July 2026 when he disclosed a diagnosis of prostate cancer, detected during routine medical examinations following elevated PSA levels. He opted for prostatectomy (surgical prostate removal). In early August, he developed progressive numbness in his left arm and hand. During a trip to the United States, his motor control and postural changes worsened, prompting his early return to Brazil. He was initially suspected to have autoimmune encephalitis. After hospitalization at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo and weeks of medical investigation, he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease on August 21. Mila Seidl announced the diagnosis via video on August 21, describing the family's anguish and noting that Lito's presentation differed from the typical form of CJD. The diagnosis prompted mobilization by followers and the Brazilian government: the Itamaraty (Foreign Ministry) and Ministry of Health requested Lito's inclusion in experimental studies, and pharmaceutical companies including Ionis Pharmaceuticals and the Broad Institute were contacted. However, Lito did not gain admission to available experimental treatment programs. At the time of his death, he had lost motor function but retained mental clarity. He is survived by his wife Mila Seidl and a seven-year-old son, Malone.

CJD is a rare prion disease affecting the brain, characterized by rapid progression involving memory loss, behavioral changes, and motor alterations. According to a Brazilian Health Ministry study, only 547 confirmed cases occurred in Brazil between 2005 and 2021. The disease has no cure or effective treatment.