Maradona death trial blames illegal home care after brain surgery

A criminal negligence trial in San Isidro, a Buenos Aires suburb, is examining the death of football legend Diego Maradona, who died in November 2020 at age 60 from heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema two weeks after brain‑clot surgery. Seven health‑care professionals who cared for him in his final days are on trial for alleged homicide through negligence.

Neurosurgeon Rodolfo Benvenuti, who supervised the operation, testified that home care should have required 24‑hour monitoring of vital signs, a defibrillator, a pulse oximeter, an IV drip and regular checks every two to three hours. He said the rented house in Tigre lacked this equipment and staff were “not prepared for an emergency.” Other testimonies highlighted the absence of a defibrillator and oxygen supply, and warned that the patient’s condition was critical.

The hearing also featured testimonies about neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque reportedly calling the surgery his “silver bullet,” and emotional reactions after the operation. The trial follows a previous proceeding that was annulled after a judge’s involvement in a secret documentary. The defendants deny responsibility, attributing Maradona’s death to natural causes after years of substance‑abuse battles.