Luca Spada trial opens in Forlì over suspected ambulance deaths, adjourned to 22 October

Trial opens in Forlì

The trial of Luca Spada, a 28-year-old from Meldola and former Red Cross ambulance driver, opened on 15 October 2026 before the Corte d'Assise di Forlì, presided over by judge Monica Galassi. He is accused of killing an 85-year-old woman who died on 25 November 2025 during an ambulance transfer from the Forlì hospital to a private clinic for rehabilitation after surgery. Prosecutors allege that air was injected into her veins through a catheter, causing a gas embolism. Spada has been in custody since April and has always said he is innocent. He reached the courtroom shortly after 9 am, escorted by carabinieri and prison police, and sat in the front row beside his lawyers. He asked not to be filmed and kept his eyes lowered for most of the hearing.

1. Nov 25, 2025An 85-year-old woman dies during an ambulance transfer from the Forlì hospital to a private clinic
2. Nov 26, 2025Technical examination carried out, which the defence says Spada was not notified of
3. Oct 15, 2026Trial opens at the Corte d'Assise di Forlì and is adjourned to 22 October
4. Oct 22, 2026Next hearing, where judges are due to rule on the autopsy

Prosecution case

Prosecutors Enrico Cieri and Andrea Marchini, who coordinated the investigation with the carabinieri's Nas unit, suspect Spada of responsibility for five other cases. Those cases involve elderly patients he allegedly transported by ambulance while working as a rescue driver. A forensic medical report identifies a gas embolism caused by air insufflation as the cause of death in the 85-year-old's case. The charge is aggravated voluntary homicide, with premeditation, taking advantage of a person with reduced ability to defend herself, and use of an insidious means listed among the aggravating circumstances. Fanpage reports that the alleged weapon was a syringe filled with air and that a conviction could bring a life sentence. The prosecution requested and obtained immediate trial on a file that includes telephone and environmental wiretaps recorded between 31 October and 28 December 2025.

Defence challenges the autopsy

Defence lawyer Marco Martines told reporters during a break in the hearing that the defence had rightly raised the issue of his client's impaired ability to defend himself. He added a second point, which he called the more important one for the defence.

We are here for two things that unfortunately did not come about.

The defence argues that Spada was not notified of the autopsy carried out on the evening of 25 November, nor of a technical examination on 26 November, so he could not appoint a consultant. The lawyers say his phone had already been seized in the investigation, so the notice never reached him. Gloria Parigi argued that what could be found on 25 November could no longer be found on 26 November because of the volatility of air. She also said that the code required Spada to be notified as a mere suspect. Max Starni, the lawyer for the victim's family, explained that the law provides for a repeat autopsy, which the suspect may attend, once evidence against someone emerges. Starni said he was confident the autopsy would be declared usable. The defence also plans to ask the court not to admit the intercepted conversations as evidence.

Family and civil parties

The four children of the victim attended the hearing, and Starni said they were deeply distressed to see the defendant in person for the first time. Spada kept his gaze lowered throughout, and no eye contact was made with the family. Starni said the family was horrified by images and content circulating in the media, including what he described as selfies with coffins or exhumed bodies. The Italian Red Cross national committee and the Forlimpopoli-Bertinoro and Forlì territorial committees constituted themselves civil parties. In a statement, the Red Cross expressed closeness to the families and said it was willing to cooperate in any forum.

Starni described the prosecution's position in stark terms.

In the prosecution's hypothesis, we are facing a series of murders.

What comes next

The case returns to court on 22 October 2026, when judges are due to rule on whether the first autopsy can be used. Starni said he was certain the autopsy would be declared usable and that witness testimony would then begin. Prosecutors say the investigation into the five other suspected deaths is still ongoing.