San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy – The community mourned twelve-year-old M.B. on Thursday afternoon as his small white casket filled the Church of San Pio X. His life ended abruptly during a vacation in Pennabilli, where he was reportedly pulled into a hot tub's intake. The Rimini Prosecutor's Office is investigating the incident as alleged conspiracy to commit manslaughter, commercial fraud, and tax evasion.
The funeral brought together a grieving community. M.B.'s mother shared a letter, read by the parish catechist, stating, "We loved you with every fiber of our soul." Monsignor Gianpiero Palmieri, Bishop of the Diocese, spoke to the congregation. Outside the church, however, demands for justice were paramount. Experts say a properly functioning hot tub should never create a vacuum effect strong enough to trap a person, especially a child.
Rimini judicial investigations have since focused on Beauty Luxury S.r.l., a Riccione-based company. Prosecutors allege this firm supplied the whirlpool system to the hotel where the incident occurred.
The incriminated tub, marketed in Italy as a "Made in Italy" wellness product, was reportedly manufactured in China by Sunrans. Investigators contend Beauty Luxury imported these products on a large scale. They then allegedly resold them on the Italian market without essential safety certifications.
The tubs supplied by Beauty Luxury reportedly lacked the mandatory CE Mark required for products sold in the European Union. This certification indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area. International safety standards specify that suction inlets must prevent a "vacuum effect" on the human body. The tub in question allegedly lacked the necessary anti-entrapment safety devices designed to prevent such incidents.
Fabio Massimo Pari, Elio Pari, and Alex Bersani, all associated with Beauty Luxury S.r.l., are now under investigation. Elio Pari is a known figure on the Adriatic Coast, recognized as the founder of the "Miss Over" beauty pageant. His business history includes prior investigations for VAT evasion tied to his entertainment companies.
Fabio Massimo Pari and Alex Bersani reportedly focused on online sales, advertising products at prices lower than competitors. Prosecutors allege these savings stemmed from importing uncertified Chinese materials and bypassing stringent European safety regulations.
Prosecutors allege the owners of Beauty Luxury were aware of the products' non-compliance. The hypothesized crimes include conspiracy to commit manslaughter, which arises from placing a device lacking crucial safety features on the market. Commercial fraud is also alleged, for selling products as certified when they reportedly did not meet minimum technical requirements. Tax evasion and fraud are also under investigation, consistent with the earlier probes into Elio Pari's former businesses.
Pennabilli Mayor Mauro Giannini stated, "What happened is unacceptable." The tragedy has raised questions beyond the immediate accident. It highlights concerns about the safety of public spaces, the responsibility of companies importing goods without proper oversight, and the need for stricter enforcement against those who operate with alleged disregard for public safety. The Rimini Prosecutor's Office continues its investigation, seeking to determine the full extent of liability.