Cellphone Bathtub Death: Feds Investigate Electrocution Of Texas Teen

Updated on July 12: Madison Coe died of electrocution, according to a preliminary ruling issued on Wednesday by the Albuquerque, N.M., medical examiner. Coe, who was 14, died in Lovington, N.M., on Sunday.

In an email to Patch, David Miranda, a sergeant with the Lovington Police Department, said that the incident remains under investigation. Miranda's email added that a cellular telephone, a phone charger, and an extension cord were found at the scene of death.

In a new development, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating Coe's death, according to NBC News.

HOUSTON, TX — She was an outgoing girl who played basketball on her middle school's team and first-chair tuba in band, a 14-year-old whose grandmother said changed everyone with her kindness and positivity. On Sunday, Madison Coe's life was cut short. She was apparently electrocuted while using her cellphone in a bathtub, and she leaves behind a mourning family and friends.

"There was a burn mark on her hand, the hand that would have grabbed the phone," Coe's grandmother, Donna O’Guinn told KCBD. "And that was just very obvious that that’s what had happened."

Coe had recently graduated from Terra Vista Middle School, in Lubbock, Texas, and according to KCDB was scheduled to enroll in high school in Houston, where she was planning to move with her family. Coe passed away in Lovington, New Mexico, where she was visiting her father.

David A. Miranda, an officer with the Lovington Police Department, said in a statement emailed to Patch that emergency medical personnel administered life-saving measures to Coe at the scene of the incident, during transport, and at Nor-Lea Hospital. An official cause of death has not been released, though initial signs were consistent with electric shock, the statement added.

Watch: TX Teen Electrocuted By Her Cellphone in Bath

Coe's mother, Angela O'Guinn-Downs, told People magazine that Madison was electrocuted when she either plugged the phone in or when she picked up the plugged-in phone while in the bathtub.

“She was such a bright, vibrant, very intelligent, loving, caring young lady,” O’Guinn-Downs said. “She had such a huge heart. Always willing to help others.”

The school district to which Coe's middle school belonged remembered the young girl in a statement.

"It is with heavy hearts that Frenship ISD mourns the loss of Madison Coe," the district said. "We wish to share our heartfelt sympathy with her family and friends as we carry the burden of this tragedy together."

Despite her grief, O'Guinn wants others to learn from the death of her granddaughter.

"This is such a tragedy that doesn’t need to happen to anyone else," she told KCBD. "And we want something good to come out of this as awareness of not using your cell phone in the bathroom as it is plugged in and charging."

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Coe's family has taken to Facebook to spread awareness about the dangers of electrocution:

A GoFundMe campaign has been established for Coe; it hopes to raise $20,000 to help the family and had pledges of nearly $7,500 on Tuesday.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of Madison Coe. Our hearts go out to their family during this difficult time. We are asking for your support to help this precious family with medical and memorial costs. Any support given would be greatly appreciated. All donations will go directly to her family.

"It’s overwhelming to realize there are people that we don’t even know and we’ll probably never even meet that have taken this message and shared it to protect another child or even an adult," O’Guinn told KCDB. "We don’t want to lose anybody. We need to be aware. We need to teach our children that electricity and water do not mix."

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at King's Ridge Church of Christ in Lubbock. O'Guinn-Downs posted details about the service on Facebook:

"On Saturday, July 15th at 6:30 p.m. the family and friends of Madison Coe will be having a balloon/candlelight memorial at Terra Vista Middle School. Everyone is invited to celebrate the memory of an amazing young lady. She made such an impact on so many people! We will be releasing orange balloons and sharing memories."

Image: Madison Coe (courtesy Coe family)