World · Europe · 1 day ago
Luca Spada’s trial opens over the death of a patient in an ambulance
Luca Spada’s trial opens in Forlì on October 15 over the death of Deanna Mambelli, an 85-year-old patient who died in an ambulance in November 2025.
Spada, a former Red Cross ambulance worker, is accused of deliberately causing her death by injecting air into her bloodstream, leading to a suspected air embolism.
The prosecution’s case relies in part on an autopsy that found a large amount of gas in her cardiovascular system.
Spada has said he is innocent, and his lawyers are expected to challenge the prosecution’s medical evidence.
The trial concerns Mambelli’s death, while investigators continue to examine five other suspected deaths during ambulance transfers.
The case matters because it will test whether the evidence supports the serious charge against Spada, who has been held in custody since April.
The prosecution plans to call 100 witnesses, according to one account of the case.
Luca Spada’s trial over the death of Deanna Mambelli is due to open on 15 October 2026 at the Court of Assizes in Forlì.
Spada is accused of intentionally killing Mambelli, 85, during an ambulance transfer on 25 November 2025.
Prosecutors allege that he injected air into her bloodstream, causing a fatal gas embolism; Spada has maintained his innocence.
An autopsy found a large amount of gas in her cardiovascular system, which experts said was compatible with an acute gas embolism.
Investigators are also examining five other suspicious deaths during ambulance transfers, but those cases are not part of this trial.
- Who
- Luca Spada, a former Red Cross ambulance worker, is accused of killing Deanna Mambelli, an 85-year-old patient.
- What
- His trial concerns the allegation that he intentionally caused her death by injecting air into her bloodstream. He has maintained his innocence.
- When
- The trial is due to open on 15 October 2026. Mambelli died on 25 November 2025.
- Where
- The alleged killing took place aboard an ambulance during a transfer in Forlì, Italy. The trial is at the Court of Assizes in Forlì.
- Why
- No motive has been established.
Prosecution
Spada and his defence
Alleged cause of death
Prosecution
Prosecutors allege Spada injected air into Mambelli’s bloodstream, causing a fatal gas embolism.
Spada and his defence
Spada has maintained his innocence; his defence lawyers have appointed a medical expert to challenge the prosecution’s case.
Motive
Prosecution
Investigators are examining possible motives, including suspected financial links to funeral arrangements, but no motive has been established.
Spada and his defence
No specific alternative motive or account of the death is stated in the articles.
Mambelli died after becoming critically ill during an ambulance transfer in Forlì.
Carabinieri stopped the ambulance and found medical items, including vials and syringes, according to ForlìToday.
Spada was taken into pre-trial custody, according to Il Resto del Carlino.
Spada’s trial is due to open at the Court of Assizes in Forlì.
- Defendant
- Luca Spada, former Red Cross ambulance worker
- Patient
- Deanna Mambelli, 85
- Date of death
- 25 November 2025
- Trial venue
- Court of Assizes, Forlì
- Other deaths under investigation
- Five
- Alleged cause
- Gas embolism from air injected into the bloodstream
3 sources
What people are saying
How could I have killed a poor elderly woman? I have recently become a father; I know what a family means.
But why do you have to save everyone? Every now and then someone has to die!