Beaten savagely, suffocated and then burned. Without the mobile phone being found that could contain all the elements needed to shed light on his final hours of life and his contacts, perhaps including those with the killer or killers. These are the only points that appear certain in the murder case of Luigi 'Luca' Esposito, the sports journalist found dead on Sunday morning in the Cioffi area, an isolated location in Eboli, in the province of Salerno.
The autopsy, which lasted five hours, did not resolve all doubts. The body remains under seizure as unrepeatable technical examinations are still ongoing. Further laboratory investigations into histology, toxicology and genetics will need to be carried out. The cause of death appears to have been a violent act, possibly involving the use of a blunt object, which caused multiple fractures. The initial hypothesis that death was caused by a gunshot wound has, however, been ruled out.
Was the object used to make the assault even more brutal thrown nearby, into a drainage ditch running alongside the area where the body was found? And was the mobile phone thrown into the water or taken away? There are many mysteries to unravel. As there are regarding the activities Esposito was involved in.
He was certainly known as an afternoon sports commentator, particularly well-versed in the affairs of Avellino and Salernitana football clubs. But why did he tell relatives and friends that his mornings were taken up with activities during which he could not be disturbed? Did he carry out — as he claimed — inspections at agricultural businesses in the area? But in what capacity? He was not an employee of ARPAC, the Regional Environmental Protection Agency, he was not an employee of the Region (despite claiming to be) nor was he registered with the Order of Biologists. Why was he in his car, a white Lancia Y, in that godforsaken place in the dead of night? Had he arrived there with someone? Did he have an appointment? Investigators appear to be focusing on a personal motive, while any connection to his journalistic work is being ruled out.
Investigators are therefore looking into all of the man's most recent contacts, seeking to reconstruct his final hours of life in order to understand who he had dealings with. This work could clearly be greatly aided by finding his mobile phone, given that people who thought they knew him have so far been unable to make any significant contribution in this regard.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
