Mum, 24, dies in hot tub accident with entire body SCALDED when she passed out in water before waking up screaming

The Sun

06-06-2025

A MUM has tragically died after falling unconscious in a hot tub at a motel room.
Gabriele Cristine Barreto de Freitas, 24, was left with horrific burns all over her body when she woke up screaming.
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The mum-of-one had been at the motel in Curitiba, in the Brazilian state of Parana, with a man she had met at a party.
She died with agonising third-degree burns after she was rushed to the hospital.
The pair decided to take a hot bath together for a relaxing dip.
However, things took a tragic turn when Gabriele decided to stay after her partner got out of the tub to go to bed.
She passed out inside the hot tub after apparently hitting her head.
The mum then woke up screaming as she saw bits of her skin hanging from her body after suffering severe burns.
Shocking images from an intensive care unit show her entire body wrapped up in bandages.
One image showed a large strip of skin hanging from her face.
Gabriele reportedly died from a massive cardiac arrest - just six days after her family said she was recovering.
Jenifer Vaniele Barreto, her sister, said: "We don't understand how Gabriele's death happened.
"No one gave us any answers, they just said she had a cardiac arrest and died, that's all.
The police at the Curitiba Homicide Division have now opened an investigation into the shocking death.
The man she went with to the motel has not yet been interviewed by the police, according to local media reports.
But the family's lawyer, Valter Ribeiro Junior, says they are demanding tests on the hot tub's thermostat to see if it was faulty.
He said: "It is unacceptable that someone goes to a motel for leisure and leaves burnt to the point of dying days later.
"If it happened to her, it's probably going to happen to other people.
"It is possible that the equipment is not up to date and may have caused these burns."
Gabriele leaves behind a five-year-old son, now being cared for by her mother.
Hot tub safety tips
Temperature Check: Keep the water temperature at or below 40°C (104°F) to avoid overheating. Soaking for extended periods in hotter water can lead to drowsiness, which could be dangerous.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after using the hot tub. This helps prevent dehydration and overheating.
Avoid Alcohol & Drugs: Don't use alcohol or drugs before or while using a hot tub. They can impair your judgment and increase the risk of accidents or health problems.
Supervise Children: Never leave children unattended in or near a hot tub. Ensure they understand the rules and potential dangers, and that the water isn't too deep for them.