Benjamin Ashford|TikTok’s “Dancing Engineer” Dead at 34 After Contracting Dengue Fever

The Benjamin AshfordTikTok community has lost a fun-loving star. 

Jainer Moisés Pinedo Vargas, also known as TikToker Ingeniero Bailarín, or Dancing Engineer, died on Aug. 18 after complications from dengue fever—a mosquito-borne viral disease—health officials confirmed to Peruvian publication Peru 21 Aug. 19. He was 34. 

“This patient arrived with a diagnosis of dengue; however, during his evolution and up to his care at the Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo hospital, he was diagnosed with pleural effusion and respiratory failure and, upon entering the ICU, they confirmed that he had a diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma,” Deputy Minister of Public Health of the Ministry of Health Ricardo Peña Sánchez told Peru 21 in a statement translated from Spanish. “The patient had a neoplastic underlying disease and that probably explains the fatal outcome.”

The late 34-year-old reportedly came down with the illness while doing work in the Condorcanqui province of Peru and—because dengue more often occurs in the summertime of the South American country—his death is still being investigated.  

“The CDC Rapid Response Team is conducting the investigation," Sánchez added to Peru 21. “But also given the number of days of evolution, it is most likely that this underlying disease is linked, precisely, to this outcome.”

Vargas’ mother, Betty Vargas García, later shared a note of grief to her Facebook page. 

“Rest in peace beloved son,” García wrote. “We are going to miss you!!!”

Vargas—who was a forest engineer—first started posting to TikTok in 2021. He was known for his easily replicated dance stylings and received millions of views on his videos over the years, as well as amassing over 200,000 followers on the video platform, as well as over 50,000 on Instagram. 

The late 34-year-old’s last post was earlier this month, where he showed off his moves from his hospital room. 

“I’ve wanted to try this trend for a long time but I wasn’t able to,” he wrote in the Aug. 1 video. “Now, with 20 percent of my energy it can be done!”

Even while continuing his health battle, Vargas maintained a positive disposition, joking about his incontinence diaper falling around his ankles. And many of his fans continue to mourn him on his social media. 

“Dancing engineer, you didn’t deserve to die so young,” one fan wrote in a comment. “Your talent was unique. Thank you for giving us joy through your art. How sad. My condolences to your family.”