Authorities in Brazil have revealed the cause of death of a 20-year-old woman who mysteriously died while traveling with 26 iPhones taped to her body.
The young woman was on a long-distance bus journey from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo when she fell seriously ill during a stop in Guarapuava, a city in Paraná state. While the bus was parked near a roadside restaurant on Tuesday evening, the woman began experiencing severe respiratory symptoms, prompting an emergency response, the Daily Record reports.
Paramedics from Brazil’s Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) were called to the scene as the woman struggled to breathe. Initially, her symptoms were linked to post-seizure complications and respiratory distress, but her condition quickly deteriorated; her heart stopped, and she ceased breathing altogether.
Despite the emergency team’s efforts to resuscitate her over the course of 45 minutes, she was pronounced dead at the scene. According to local reports, she died of cardiorespiratory arrest.
It was during the medical intervention that responders discovered multiple packages strapped to her body, later identified as 26 iPhones. The suspicious circumstances triggered a broader investigation by Brazil’s Civil Police and Scientific Police.
In addition to the phones, several bottles of alcohol were found inside her luggage, prompting concerns of possible smuggling. Police also deployed sniffer dogs, though no narcotics were discovered in connection to the incident.
Authorities suspect the woman may have been involved in illegal trafficking of electronics. The devices were seized and handed over to the Federal Revenue Service as part of the investigation. Her body was transported to the Forensic Medical Institute for a full autopsy.
In a statement to Brazilian media outlet Globo, police confirmed they are awaiting the results of forensic reports to better understand what led to her death.
“The Paraná Civil Police are investigating the case and awaiting the conclusion of forensic reports to clarify the cause of death,” officials said, via The Mirror. “According to preliminary information, the woman, who was traveling alone, was en route 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 investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to determine whether the woman was acting alone or was part of a larger smuggling operation.