Authorities in Brazil have launched an investigation into the sudden death of a 20-year-old woman who collapsed while travelling on a long-distance bus, only to be found with dozens of iPhones taped to her body.
According to DailyMail, the incident happened during a journey from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo.
Reports indicate that the woman began to experience health complications during a scheduled stop at a roadside restaurant in Guarapuava, a town in central Paraná State.
Emergency responders from the Mobile Emergency Care Service were called after she reportedly complained of difficulty breathing.
“She was treated by Mobile Emergency Care Service workers, who said she was awake but struggling to breathe. Shortly afterwards, she began to show signs of respiratory distress and appeared to suffer a seizure.”
Despite 45 minutes of resuscitation attempts, she was declared dead at the scene.
“Paramedics attempted to revive her for 45 minutes, but she was declared dead at the scene.”
While providing medical assistance, responders noticed unusual bulges under her clothing and discovered multiple packages strapped directly to her skin. On closer examination, authorities found a total of 26 iPhones taped to her torso.
“It was while trying to treat her that medics noticed several packages attached to her body. Police later discovered 26 iPhones had been glued directly to her skin.”
The Military Police were alerted to the scene and contacted forensic and civil investigators. A sniffer dog was deployed to search her luggage but found no traces of narcotics. However, officers did seize several bottles of alcohol from her belongings.
“A sniffer dog did not detect any drugs on the woman, but several bottles of alcohol were found in her luggage and seized.”
The Paraná Civil Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that forensic tests are underway to determine the cause of death.
“The Paraná Civil Police are investigating the case and awaiting the conclusion of forensic reports to clarify the cause of death.”
“According to preliminary information, the woman, who was alone, was travelling from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo.”
“The 26 cell phones that were glued to her body were seized and sent to the Federal Revenue Service.”
The woman’s identity has not yet been disclosed, and authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the suspected smuggling attempt.