A 20-year-old woman died under mysterious circumstances during a bus ride in Brazil, with authorities discovering 26 iPhones glued directly to her skin. The bizarre incident unfolded as she travelled alone from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo, a long-distance route often scrutinised for smuggling activity.
The woman reportedly began feeling unwell when the bus stopped at a restaurant in Guarapuava, Paraná. Emergency services were called after she complained of difficulty breathing. Paramedics from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) treated her on-site and attempted resuscitation for 45 minutes. Despite their efforts, she was declared dead at the scene.
While treating her, medics found tightly wrapped packages on her body, later revealed to be 26 iPhones affixed directly to her skin using some kind of adhesive. No drugs were detected by sniffer dogs, but authorities seized bottles of alcohol found in her luggage. Her identity has not been disclosed.
Police from multiple agencies, including the Military Police, Civil Police, and Scientific Police, are now involved. Forensic teams have been deployed, and the seized phones were handed over to the Federal Revenue Service as part of the smuggling investigation. Authorities await toxicology and forensic reports to determine the official cause of death.
The woman’s mode of transport and concealed cargo strongly point to an illicit smuggling operation, although it remains unclear whether she was coerced or knowingly involved. The unusual nature of the concealment method, with the phones glued directly to her body, has only deepened public speculation around the case.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials say further details will be released once the forensic analysis is complete.
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