A Russian influencer who was at the centre of a notorious dry ice pool party that killed her husband and two friends is now rebuilding her life and eight months pregnant five years after the tragedy.
The incident took place at the Devyaty Val spa complex in Moscow, Russia's capital city, during a birthday party for Ekaterina Didenko on 28th February 2020.
Three people died when the dry ice poured into a pool created a dense carbon dioxide fog that poisoned those nearby.
Among the dead were Ekaterina’s husband, 32-year-old Valentin Didenko, and two of their friends, Natalia Monakova and Yuri Alferov.
More than 25 kilogrammes (55 lbs) of dry ice had been dumped into the water to create a dramatic visual effect.
Picture shows Ekaterina Didenko with husband Valentin and children. Valentin died at the party in Moscow, Russia. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (@provizordidenko/Newsflash/NX)
But the dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide, rapidly evaporated and displaced oxygen around the surface of the pool.
The effect caused several people standing close to the water to lose consciousness and collapse.
Valentin jumped into the water to cool off moments before the dry ice was added.
Picture shows pregnant Ekaterina Didenko, undated. Three people died on her party in Moscow, Russia. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (@provizordidenko/Newsflash/NX)
He died later in hospital from pulmonary oedema caused by carbon dioxide poisoning.
Footage taken at the event, which was later published by several media outlets, showed the moment the dry ice was dumped into the pool and guests began coughing and collapsing.
The spa party had been attended by around 20 guests, many of whom were influencers themselves and documented the party in real time.
The video quickly went viral and was widely discussed across Russian and international social media.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, investigators launched a criminal case into death by negligence.
Picture shows Yuri Alferov, undated. He died at the party. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
However, prosecutors later closed the case without filing any charges.
Authorities concluded that the dry ice had been purchased legally and that no one had intended to cause harm.
Investigators also cited a general lack of awareness around the risks of using dry ice in confined or poorly ventilated spaces.
Ekaterina, who held a degree in pharmacy and was known for sharing household tips and family life content, faced fierce public scrutiny in the months that followed.
Commenters accused her of irresponsibility and seeking publicity, especially after she continued to post content online.
Despite the online criticism, she has continued to share her life openly with her audience.
Picture shows dry ice being poured in the pool, undated. It ended with the death of three people. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
She later revealed she had begun therapy to deal with the trauma and grief.
In recent months, she announced she is pregnant and looking forward to becoming a mother again.
She is now eight months pregnant and has posted ultrasound images and updates about her condition.
The father of the child has not been publicly identified.
Ekaterina has said that she will raise the child with love and gratitude for the future, while always remembering the past.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)