According to the investigation, the arrest warrant was issued following the autopsy results of 85-year-old woman Deane Mambeli, who died after being transported from a hospital to a physical therapy facility, Republika reports. Spada, a former Red Cross worker, was previously suspended while an investigation into five similar deaths was ongoing.
The investigation was launched after the death of an 85-year-old patient during transport in November, and an autopsy showed signs of air embolism, suggesting a possible “air injection.” During the investigation, Italian police and carabinieri carried out several searches, including at the premises of funeral homes with which the suspect had collaborated.
The suspect denies the charges, claiming he was "just driving" and that the charges are based on random circumstances, while the court ordered his detention due to the risk of recidivism and influencing witnesses. He is also linked to the death of Vittorio Benigni, a saxophonist who died at the age of 84, a few days after being transported in an ambulance driven by Spada.
The investigation into all the circumstances of the patients' deaths is still ongoing, and all cases occurred between February and November 2025 during or shortly after transport.
