Lito Sousa's seven-year-old son Malone did not attend the public wake held for his father in São Paulo on Friday, his mother Mila Seidl announced.
Sousa, a widely recognized Brazilian digital creator and aviation specialist, died on Thursday, October 1. Memorial services and public tributes took place on Friday, October 2, in the northern zone of the city.
Seidl addressed followers on social media on Friday to explain why Malone was absent from the gathering. She stated that the boy did not wish to attend the wake, adding that she fully supported his choice because she wanted him to preserve a different and happier image of his father.
While the ceremony was open to the public because Sousa was deeply cherished by fans, Seidl urged attendees not to take photographs during the event. She shared that her foremost priority was protecting her son from seeing pictures of his father in a casket or in poor health.
Plea for privacy at public memorial
Seidl warned that any material posted to the internet remains there indefinitely. She emphasized that she wanted her seven-year-old son to remember his father as the handsome, vibrant man the family had always known, rather than seeing images from the funeral service surface online.
Throughout Sousa's illness, the family took strict precautions to ensure that photos showing his physical deterioration in his final days were never leaked. Seidl pleaded with those attending the wake to honor that boundary, noting that even though signs prohibiting photography would be posted, people often ignore warnings.
In the same public statement, Seidl expressed heartfelt gratitude for the messages of support and affection that poured in following the news of the creator's death.
Diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Sousa had taken steps to prepare Malone after learning that he had been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an incurable and rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disorder. Seidl recounted that Sousa sat down with their son to discuss the possibility that he might die, gently walking the boy through the cycle of life in a storytelling manner.
The emotional conversation was previously highlighted by Seidl in a video shared on August 18, when she spoke about receiving confirmation of the devastating medical condition. She revealed that although Sousa had lost substantial physical mobility during his final weeks, his mental clarity and lucidity remained entirely intact.
His doctors had advised him to use that crucial window of mental alertness to speak openly, make personal arrangements, and cherish quality time with loved ones before his condition advanced.
Aviation career and legacy
Sousa built an enormous digital presence as an aircraft maintenance technician and educator, best known for creating the popular Brazilian aviation channel Aviões e Músicas. Through his videos on YouTube and posts across social networks, he explained complex aeronautical systems, analyzed aviation news, and helped millions of nervous travelers overcome their fear of flying.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is an exceptionally rare, fatal brain condition classified as a prion disease. The disorder causes rapid brain damage, leading to progressive physical disability, cognitive decline, and involuntary muscle movements, with no known cure or medical treatment available to halt its progression.
As mourners gathered in São Paulo to say their goodbyes, Seidl remained focused on safeguarding Malone's privacy and honoring the legacy of a father who spent his final months ensuring his family was cared for.
