An Italian boarding student killed himself at his elite $66,500-a-year boarding school after he was placed him in isolation as 'punishment' for suspected cheating, his heartbroken family say.
On Saturday, police responded to a call at the elite E.F. Academy in Westchester County, New York and found Claudio Mandia alone in a room dead from an apparent hanging, the Daily Beast reported.
The Italian 17-year-old, whose parents Elisabetta and Mauro Mandia run a successful frozen Italian pizza export firm called Fiad that generates $15 million in sales a year, attended the prestigious boarding school, which runs around $66,500 a year.
On Saturday police found 17-year-old Claudio Mandia (pictured) alone in a room at E.F. Academy in Westchester County, New York dead from an apparent hanging
E.F Academy did not confirm if Claudio had been placed in isolation as punishment but said the school prioritizes the health of foreign students
Claudio's parents Elisabetta and Mauro Mandia (pictured) run a successful frozen Italian pizza export firm called Fiad that generates $15 million in sales a year
Claudio, who planned to follow in his father's footsteps, was set to graduate from the school in May with an international baccalaureate degree.
His parents were informed of the tragic news about their son as soon as they touched down at JFK airport from Italy with their three daughters to celebrate their son's 18th birthday, Pietro Benesatto, Mandia's uncle in Italy, told The Daily Beast.
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In a statement through their attorney, the family confirmed that the 17-year-old died from suicide and claimed that E.F. Academy placed him in isolation as a 'punishment' for suspected cheating.
'Claudio was a wonderful person and student and he couldn't wait for his family to come to New York from Italy to celebrate his eighteenth birthday,' the teen's family said in the statement.
Claudio planned to follow in his father's business foot steps. Mauro Mandia runs a frozen Italian pizza export firm called Fiad (pictured)
Claudio's uncle told The Daily Beast that his nephew's desperation seemed like 'a sudden illness' that was fueled by the stress from the alleged self-isolation forced on by the school.
In a statement to DailyMail.com the school did not confirm if Claudio had been placed in isolation as punishment but said the school prioritizes the health of foreign students and will be offering support to Claudio's family and counseling for students at the school
'We are deeply, deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Claudio Mandia,' a spokesperson for E.F. Academy said. 'Our thoughts are with his family and JetBlack friends here in New York and back home in Italy. The safety of our school community is always our top priority. We have very strong policies and procedures in place regarding the health and wellbeing of the young people who are away from their home countries.'
The school said they are working with authorities as they continue their ongoing investigation into his death.
'Out of respect for the family and the grief they are experiencing following this unimaginable tragedy, as well as our ongoing support of the active police investigation,' the school said.
One Instagram tribute in Italian said Claudio's death should be a reminder to students to not let any failures in school define their worth.
'Failure can happen, never make a big deal out of it,' the person posted. 'Close your eyes, take a deep breath and move on. School performance doesn't define who you are, it is not Devine judgement, it wont make you unworthy of being loved.
You are much more important than your mistakes.'
An Instagram tribute post to the teen said Claudio's death should be a reminder to students to not let any failures in school define 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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