Luigi 'Luca' Esposito, a 53-year-old football journalist, was found dead after being shot and set on fire in a remote field in Salerno, Italy. His charred remains were discovered by firefighters in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, after friends lost contact with him on Saturday night.
Investigation underway
Prosecutors in Salerno, led by anti-mafia chief Raffaele Cantone, are treating the case as a murder. Officers recovered bullet casings near Luigi's body at Bivio Cioffi in Salerno and identified him after finding his car nearby. An autopsy is due to confirm the exact cause of death.
Possible motives
Investigators are looking into Luigi's private life for possible motives, including financial or passionate disputes. Police have not ruled out any theories. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Career and colleagues' reactions
Originally from Nocera Inferiore and a passionate fan of Salernitana 1919, Luigi ran the website TuttoSalernitana.com. He also worked as a columnist for La Città di Salerno and as a pundit on OttoChannel TV, covering Serie B sides including Avellino and Juve Stabia. Colleagues described him as outspoken, fearless, and full of contacts in the football world.
OttoChannel director Pierluigi Melillo said: "Luca was a precious collaborator – awkward but never banal, always brave in defending his opinions on football. He was due to be one of our star pundits next season." Melillo added the team was "shocked and incredulous" at the "horrible execution."
Luigi, who had 15,500 Instagram followers, held two degrees in biology and literature. His sister said he was a calm man with no known enemies.
