Five Years After Maradona’s Death: Revelations from the Trial and the Star’s Health
Five years after the departure of Diego Armando Maradona, the trial seeking to determine responsibilities in his death has revealed crucial details about the health of the Argentine idol.
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, a few weeks after turning sixty. He was receiving medical attention in a residence on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, supervised by eight health professionals, seven of whom were accused of his death. The trial, which began in March and was annulled on May 29, exposed relevant information about the conditions in which the star was found.Compromised health status
The autopsy revealed that Maradona suffered from hepatic cirrhosis, a long-standing pulmonary pathology, a “monstrous increase in the abdominal cavity” and serious alterations in his kidneys and heart, which weighed more than double the normal. The cause of his death was “acute pulmonary edema secondary to exacerbated chronic heart failure”.
In early November 2020, Maradona was recovering from surgery at the Clínica Olivos. His daughters stated that, at the time of discharge, the neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, the doctor in charge of the team, was the one who convinced them to continue the care at a private residence and not in a rehabilitation clinic, as other professionals had recommended.
The quality of medical and human care received by the former soccer player between November 11 and 25 is fundamental to determining whether his death could have been avoided and the responsibilities of the health professionals involved.Lack of equipment and care
Dalma Maradona, one of the star’s daughters, declared that they were promised that the care would be “the same as in the Olivos Clinic” and that the doctors in charge deceived the family. Witnesses stated that the high-complexity ambulance was present only the first two days.
The residence, which did not meet the requirements for reduced mobility, lacked emergency medical equipment, such as a defibrillator. Gianinna Maradona described the situation as “a disastrous staging.”Treatment and Addictions
The autopsy revealed that Maradona had no alcohol or drugs in his blood. However, an expert highlighted the presence of generalized edema, which indicated an accumulation of fluid that does not occur overnight.
Gianinna reported that Luque ignored her warnings about her father’s deterioration. Maradona was clinically checked for the last time at 00:30 on November 25 and his death was reported to the Police at 13:00 that day. The nurses were sleeping in a distant room, making assistance difficult in case of emergency.
The first doctor to try to revive him stated that Maradona had died “one or two hours” earlier. A forensic expert indicated that the footballer’s heart showed signs of a “long agony”, of up to twelve hours.
Maradona’s daughters reported that the assistant and legal representative, Maximiliano Pomargo, hindered contact with their father. During the last few days, the family avoided visiting him on medical advice, who indicated that he needed to “be calm”.
