CCTV footage has captured a tragic incident where a tourist lost her life after being struck by a statue thrown from a balcony while walking with her boyfriend. Chiara Jaconis, 30, was enjoying a birthday trip to Naples, Italy, when she was hit by a 4.4lbs onyx statue thrown by a 13-year-old from a third-floor balcony. The impact of the statue caused Chiara to collapse, leaving her boyfriend visibly shocked and calling for help.
Emergency services quickly responded, rushing Chiara to the hospital for immediate surgery. Unfortunately, despite medical efforts, Chiara succumbed to severe brain injuries two days later. Chiara, an Italian working for the fashion brand Prada in Paris, was strolling through Naples’ Spanish Quarters with her boyfriend when the tragic incident occurred.
The teenage boy responsible for the fatal throw was absolved of criminal responsibility by a juvenile court due to his age falling below 14 years, as per Italian law. Prosecutors argued that closer supervision by the boy’s parents could have prevented the tragedy, citing past dangerous behavior by the child. The parents maintain their innocence, denying any involvement and claiming they did not own the statue.
In a surprising turn, the parents have contested the court’s decision, arguing for their son’s acquittal based on the case’s circumstances rather than his age. The incident has sparked public debate on parental accountability in crowded areas, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 26, drawing significant attention in Italy.