Seven medical professionals have been charged with "simple homicide with eventual intent" after soccer legend Diego Maradona died from heart failure two weeks after undergoing brain surgery in November 2020.
The accused include Leopoldo Luque, the neurosurgeon who performed the brain surgery; Agustina Cosachov, the psychiatrist who treated Maradona; doctor Nancy Forlini; psychologist Carlos Angel Diaz; nursing team co-ordinator Mariano Perroni; and nurses Ricardo Omar Almiron and Dahiana Gisela Madrid.
Leaked audio of private conversations between doctors and Maradona's team suggested that the former Napoli star was not being properly cared for before his death. Maradona's family primarily holds Luque responsible but the doctor had denied any wrongdoing. Luque is also facing a charge of forging Maradona's signature to ask a hospital for his medical records.
The Argentinian player's death was initially being investigated as a manslaughter case, but was upgraded to murder after an investigation showed his care was "plagued by deficiencies and irregularities." Prosecutors appointed a medical board to look into the care Maradona received. According to their report, the medical team who cared for Maradona acted in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner" and ignored the "signs of life risk."
An autopsy report determined that Maradona died in his sleep due to acute pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs, which was caused by congestive heart failure. A toxicology report detected psychotropic drugs used to treat anxiety and depression, but no alcohol or illegal substances. Maradona was 60-years-old at the time of his death.
All seven medical professionals face eight to 25 years in prison if found guilty and will begin to testify on May 31.
Source: The Sun
