A small town in Italy’s Avellino province is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 16-year-old Maria Antonietta Cutillo, who died in a tragic accident involving her mobile phone while she was taking a bath.
A Routine Evening Turns Tragic
According to Italian news outlet Anteprima24, Maria was at her parents’ home when the accident occurred. The high school student, known for her dream of becoming a chef, had decided to relax in the bathtub while chatting with a friend. When her phone battery ran low, she plugged it into a nearby outlet and continued using it.
During the call, the line suddenly went silent. Alarmed, her friend immediately contacted emergency services, fearing something had gone terribly wrong.
Moments later, Maria’s parents rushed to the bathroom, only to face the devastating sight of their daughter lying unresponsive in the tub, her phone still clutched in her hand. Severe bruising and burns on her hand were clear signs of electrocution.
Paramedics arrived within minutes, but despite their efforts, they could not revive her. The device had short-circuited in the water, and her life was cut short instantly.
Confirmation of Electrocution
That evening, Maria’s body was transferred to Moscati Hospital in Avellino. Forensic doctors Carmen Sementa and Alessandro Santurro performed an autopsy, confirming that the cause of death was electrocution. Their report detailed how the plugged-in phone slipped into the bathwater, triggering a fatal electric shock.
A Community in Mourning
News of Maria’s death spread quickly through the region. Avellino’s mayor, Angelo Antonio D’Agostino, declared a day of mourning to honor her memory and support her grieving family, who are well known in the community. Her father, Giuseppe, runs a butcher shop in nearby Manocalzati, and the Cutillo family is deeply rooted in the area.
“This is news we never wanted to hear,” the mayor said. “We hoped until the very end it wasn’t true. The impact has been bitter, sad, and heartbreaking.”
Maria’s funeral was held at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, where hundreds gathered to pay tribute. Her white coffin, a painful symbol of youth lost too soon, was surrounded by classmates, teachers, and family members. Many mourners stood in silence, too overcome with emotion to speak.
Maria’s best friend, Faby, spoke through tears, recalling the countless hours they spent talking on the phone and video calls. “Every time the phone rings I think it’s a dream,” she said. “I think you’ll wake me up and tell me it was a nightmare. But instead, it’s reality.”
Global Reminder of Hidden Dangers
Maria’s story has quickly spread beyond Italy, serving as a sobering reminder of the dangers of using plugged-in devices near water. Safety experts have long warned that while mobile phones and laptops themselves are generally safe, charging them near bathtubs or sinks creates a deadly risk.
“Somewhere along the line, the phone is plugged into the electricity supply, and you’re reliant on that cable and transformer to keep you safe,” product safety expert Steve Curtler explained in a similar case. “But when you’re wet, electricity travels more easily. In the bath, with less resistance from the skin, you are especially vulnerable.”
This is not the first tragedy of its kind. In 2019, a 13-year-old girl in Amsterdam was electrocuted when her charging phone slipped into the bath. Though she survived, she suffered memory loss from the incident. In 2017, 32-year-old Richard Bull from London died after his iPhone charger came into contact with bathwater.
A Wake-Up Call for Families
In a June 2023 Facebook post, Maria’s father, Giuseppe, shared his grief: “Days pass, months pass, but everything stopped two months ago. We hoped it was all a bad dream, but it’s not. You are always with us, giving us strength to move on. We miss you. Love, Mom and Dad.”
Maria’s tragic death has now become more than just a local loss—it’s a global wake-up call. Parents, educators, and safety advocates are urging families to talk to children and teens about the dangers of using electronic devices near water. A simple act of caution could prevent another devastating loss.
