By Bond Robertson 
On June 7, veteran driver Douglas Costa competed in the AMG Cup in Brazil.
He had stayed with his girlfriend, Mariana Giordano, in a rural area in Campinas, a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil, a few days before the competition.
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In the hours after the AMG Cup, Costa must have felt unwell. The Brazilian driver was taken to a local hospital in Sao Paulo.
Death: Douglas Costa and his girlfriend died after being diagnosed with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. photo: douglas.costa125 / Instagram
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Less than a day after Costa was taken to the hospital, he passed away. Four hours later, his girlfriend, Mariana, died. Both are said to have received intensive care, but their lives could not be saved.
All of this was described as a mysterious death, but according to the Epidemiological Surveillance Center in São Paulo, both Giordiano and Costa were confirmed to have died of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo He writes that since June 16, five cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever have been confirmed in the area. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 19 cases have been confirmed, nine of which resulted in death. The newspaper wrote that the couple died four hours apart.
Cup Brasil AMG expresses its condolences on the tragic death.
To all family and friends: We extend our deepest condolences. We know how impressive Douglas is as a person, and how he will undoubtedly leave a huge void in the hearts of all who have the pleasure of knowing him, said a statement.