The charred remains of Luigi 'Luca' Esposito, a well-known sports journalist from the Salerno region of Italy, were found following a fire in a remote field. An autopsy has not been able to determine whether he was still alive when burned, giving it a 50% probability.
Disappearance and discovery
Esposito was reported missing on Saturday night after not returning calls from friends. Detectives believe the attack took place before 12pm. Firefighters discovered his body when called to a blaze at a remote field in Salerno on Sunday.
The 53-year-old would normally have been in contact with work colleagues to discuss article headlines, but this did not happen. His last WhatsApp login was recorded at 10.47pm. Keys to the car he had been driving were found next to his body, and his mobile phone was missing.
Autopsy findings
Initially reported as being shot dead before being set on fire, an autopsy found no traces of bullets in his body. The autopsy showed he suffered injuries typical of a beating, including blows to his head and fractures to his pelvis, face and ribs. It has not been ruled out that the fractures were caused by extreme heat from when he was burnt.
The autopsy was performed by coroner Giovanni Casaburi, in the presence of Esposito's family consultant, Giuseppe Raimo. Investigators are awaiting histological and toxicological tests, which normally take up to two months.
Investigation and mafia links
Prosecutors in Salerno are treating the case as murder, with top anti-mafia chief Raffaele Cantone leading the investigation. The Salerno region is a known stronghold of the Camorra syndicate, one of Italy's oldest and most powerful mafia organisations.
Esposito's sister said he was a calm man with no known enemies. Investigators are probing his private life and professional dealings for possible motives.
Professional background
Esposito, originally from Nocera Inferiore, was a passionate fan of Serie B side Salernitana 1919. He ran one of the club's most popular fan sites, worked as a sports columnist for local news outlet La Città di Salerno, and appeared as a pundit on Italian broadcaster OttoChannel TV, covering Serie B sides including Avellino and Juve Stabia. Colleagues said he was outspoken, fearless and full of contacts in the football world.
False employment claims
The mystery deepened after it was revealed that Esposito told friends and family for years that he also worked a day job at the Campania Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPAC) – claims the agency has strenuously denied. Following his death, ARPAC put out a statement categorically denying the journalist had ever worked for them.
Esposito had also claimed for years to be a member of The Order of Biologists of Campania and Molise (OBCM). OBCM President Arnolfo Petruzziello announced the journalist is not registered with the Order and has never had a professional relationship with them.
Police have not yet made any arrests, and an investigation into Esposito's death is ongoing.
