The parents of a 13-year-old Italian boy are facing manslaughter charges after their son was accused of killing a tourist by throwing a heavy statuette from a balcony.
Chiara Jaconis, 30, was celebrating her birthday in Naples with her boyfriend in 2024 when she was fatally struck by a 2kg figure as she walked down the street.
The teen, who was accused of throwing the object, was cleared by a juvenile court due to his age, but prosecutors now argue that Chiara’s death could have been prevented if they boy’s parents had kept a closer eye on him.
Prosecutors are now requesting that the teen’s mother and father be charged with negligent manslaughter as the schoolboy is alleged to have carried out similar dangerous acts in the past.
However, the couple strongly deny any wrongdoing and have claimed the statuette did not belong to them.
They have also appealed the court’s decision to clear their son because of his age, arguing he should be acquitted based on the facts of the case rather than simply because of his age.
Newly released CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment Chiara was killed, with the clip showing the tourist walking down Naples’ Spanish Quarters with her boyfriend when she is suddenly hit and falls to the floor.
As she lies motionless on the ground, her boyfriend is seen screaming for help.
Chiara Jaconis was killed in 2024 after she was struck in the head by a falling statue. CCTV footage captured the horrific moment
Italian-born Chiara lived in Paris and was in Naples celebrating her birthday at the time of the tragedy
Paramedics arrived at the scene and Chiara was taken to hospital, where she died two days later from traumatic brain injuries, local media reported at the time.
Italian-born Chiara worked for the fashion house Prada in Paris.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Italy, raising questions about parental responsibility and safety in densely populated urban areas.
A preliminary hearing is due to go ahead on June 26.
