A 17-year-old Italian student at the elite EF academy hanged himself for $ 62,000 a year in New York after the school isolated him as “punishment” for suspected fraud.
- Police found 17-year-old Claudio Mandia alone in a room at the EF Academy in Westchester County, New York on Saturday, dead from apparent hanging
- The father of the Italian 17-year-old runs a successful frozen Italian pizza export company called Fiad, which generates $ 15 million in sales annually
- Claudio, who planned to run a business like his father, was due to graduate in May with an international bachelor’s degree.
- In a statement through their lawyer, the family claims that EF Academy has put Claudio in isolation as a “punishment” for suspected fraud
- EF Academy did not confirm whether Claudio was placed in solitary confinement as punishment, but said the school gives priority to the health of foreign students
An Italian boarding school student committed suicide at his elite school for $ 62,000 a year after being placed in solitary confinement as a “punishment” for suspected fraud, his broken family said.
On Saturday, police responded to a call at the elite EF Academy in Westchester County, New York, and found Claudio Mandia alone in a room dead from apparent hanging. Everyday beast reported.
The 17-year-old Italian, whose parents Elizabeth and Mauro Mandia run a successful frozen Italian pizza export company called Fiad, which generates $ 15 million in annual sales, attends the prestigious boarding school, which costs about $ 62,000 a year.
Police found 17-year-old Claudio Mandia (pictured) alone in a room at the EF Academy in Westchester County, New York on Saturday, dead from apparent hanging
EF Academy did not confirm whether Claudio was placed in solitary confinement as punishment, but said the school gives priority to the health of foreign students
Claudio Elizabeth’s and Mauro Mandia’s parents (pictured) run a successful frozen Italian pizza export company called Fiad, which generates $ 15 million in annual sales.
Claudio, who was planning to follow in his father’s footsteps, was due to graduate in May with an international bachelor’s degree.
His parents were informed of the tragic news about their son as soon as they landed at JFK airport in Italy with their three daughters to celebrate their son’s 18th birthday, Pietro Benesato, Mandia’s uncle, told The Daily Beast in Italy.
In a statement through their lawyer, the family confirmed that the 17-year-old had died of suicide and claimed that the EF Academy had placed him in solitary confinement as a “punishment” for suspected fraud.
“Claudio was a wonderful man and student and he could not wait for his family to come to New York from Italy to celebrate his eighteenth birthday,” the teenager’s family said in a statement.
Claudio was planning to follow in his father’s footsteps. Mauro Mandia runs a frozen Italian pizza export company called Fiad (pictured)
Claudio’s uncle told The Daily Beast that his nephew’s despair seemed like a “sudden illness” fueled by the stress of alleged self-isolation imposed by the school.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, the school did not confirm whether Claudio was placed in solitary confinement as punishment, but said the school prioritizes the health of international students and will offer support to Claudio’s family and counseling students at the school.
“We are deeply, deeply saddened by the tragic death of Claudio Mandia,” said a spokesman for the EF Academy. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends here in New York and at home in Italy. The safety of our school community is always our top priority. We have very strong policies and procedures regarding the health and well-being of young people who are far from their home countries. “
The school said it was working with authorities while continuing its ongoing investigation into his death.
“Out of respect for the family and the grief they feel after this unimaginable tragedy, as well as our continued support for an active police investigation,” the school said.
An Instagram post in Italian says that Claudio’s death should remind students not to let school failures determine their value.
“Failure can happen, never do much of it,” the man wrote. “Close your eyes, take a deep breath and move on. School performance does not determine who you are, it is not a divine judgment, it will not make you unworthy to be loved. You are much more important than your mistakes.
A post on Instagram in honor of the teenager says Claudio’s death should remind students not to let school failures determine their worth
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-8255.
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