Football journalist and pundit Luigi 'Luca' Esposito has been shot dead and his body set on fire in an alleged execution. The burnt remains of the 53-year-old were found in a remote field in the early hours of Sunday after friends became worried having lost contact with him on Saturday night.
He had allegedly been shot before the killer torched his remains to destroy evidence. Firefighters made the grim discovery after being called to the scene to tackle the blaze.
Investigation underway
Police officers recovered bullet casings near the victim's body, and an autopsy is due to confirm the exact cause of death. The body was found in a rural spot at Bivio Cioffi in Salerno Province, Italy.
Luigi's car was discovered nearby, helping officers identify him quickly. Prosecutors in Salerno, led by anti-mafia chief Raffaele Cantone, are treating the case as murder. Investigators are probing Luigi's private life for possible motives, including financial or passionate disputes, although no theory has been ruled out.
Victim's background
The victim, originally from Nocera Inferiore and a passionate Salernitana 1919 fan, ran the website TuttoSalernitana.com. He also worked as a columnist for La Città di Salerno and as a regular 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, had two degrees in biology and literature. His sister described him as a calm man with no known enemies. No arrests have been made yet as the investigation continues.
