A 12-year-old girl documented her risky behavior on social media in the weeks before her death.

Zemfira Mukhtarov posted videos of herself lying on subway tracks and balancing on narrow beams as trains passed beneath her before she was killed while subway surfing early Saturday, the New York Post reported. The Brooklyn preteen died alongside 13-year-old Ebba Morina of Manhattan near the Williamsburg station.

Mukhtarov had snuck out of her Bay Ridge home sometime before 3 a.m. while her father and younger sister slept. Her mother discovered the girl missing when she returned from work.

Mother Describes Escalating Thrill-Seeking Behavior

Nataliya Rudenko said her daughter had become obsessed with dangerous stunts despite parental warnings. The Ukrainian immigrant, who moved to the United States in 2008, recalled seeing videos of Mukhtarov atop the Williamsburg Bridge.

"It's dangerous, you don't have to do this," Rudenko said she told her daughter repeatedly. The mother acknowledged her work schedule prevented her from monitoring the preteen's activities.

Rudenko described feeling powerless to control her daughter's behavior. "She's not a kid [who] sits in her room, and I cannot close this room and take a key," the grieving mother said.

Videos Showed Increasingly Dangerous Stunts

TikTok footage posted by Mukhtarov showed her performing life-threatening acts throughout New York City. One video captured her lying on tracks as a subway train rumbled overhead.

Another clip showed the 12-year-old walking on a narrow beam while a train passed below. The girl had also filmed herself sneaking into vacant mansions and climbing onto rooftops of high-rise buildings.

Rudenko said her daughter increasingly roamed the city seeking thrills to document online. The behavior marked a dramatic shift from the youngster who previously enjoyed volleyball, martial arts, violin lessons, and family trips to Disneyland.

Two Girls Found Unconscious Early Saturday Morning

Mukhtarov and Morina were discovered unresponsive near the Marcy Avenue-Broadway station around 3:10 a.m. Both girls were later pronounced dead after riding atop a J train.

Police reported as many as 15 young people were running around inside the train before the fatal incident. Rudenko said she did not know Morina and believes the two girls likely connected through social media.

The victim's father, Ruslan Mukhtarov of Azerbaijan, established a GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses. Nearly $17,000 in donations had been collected by Tuesday.

Lessons to Learn

1. Talk openly about online trends: Parents and guardians should have ongoing conversations with children about what they’re viewing and sharing online. Dangerous activities may be framed as fun or daring, and young people need a trusted adult to help them evaluate risk.

2. Set boundaries even when it feels difficult: Though teens seek independence, establishing clear expectations about curfews and safety can help prevent risky behavior. Zemfira's mother repeatedly tried to intervene, showing that even the most vigilant parents face challenges. Still, boundaries may create windows for important discussions.

3. Monitor for signs of risk-taking behavior: Social media posts are windows into youth behavior. Videos involving trespassing or dangerous stunts signal a need for intervention — whether through counseling support or community programs that redirect their energy.

It is important to remember that despite best efforts, tragedies can still happen. Victims should never be blamed for the circumstances that befell them. Each story like this is a painful reminder to keep communication open and resources accessible.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores a growing epidemic of dangerous social media challenges targeting young individuals. It serves as a wake-up call to communities to prioritize youth safety and public education to prevent future deaths. With social media increasingly shaping behavior, adults must remain involved — and vigilant.

Conclusion

Twelve-year-old Zemfira Mukhtarov and thirteen-year-old Ebba Morina died while subway surfing on a Brooklyn J train on Oct. 4, part of a string of dangerous stunts Zemfira had been sharing on TikTok. Despite their families’ efforts to steer them away from hazardous behavior, the teens ventured out in the early morning hours, meeting a tragic end. In response, city officials are urging parents, schools, and social media platforms to work together in raising awareness about the life-threatening consequences of thrill-seeking behavior fueled by online influence. Their deaths add to a disturbing trend of fatalities linked to subway surfing in New York City, which has seen a major rise in recent years.