Whistleblower dead in Lake Lugano: Police rule out external involvement for now
The 52-year-old who published audio recordings of Ticino government councillor Zali has drowned according to a preliminary autopsy report. No third-party involvement was found.
Death of Zali whistleblower: autopsy indicates drowning, no evidence of external involvement
A few weeks after the publication of sensitive audio recordings involving a Ticino government councillor, a 52-year-old Swiss woman was found lifeless in Lake Lugano. As Google News CH — Crime (de) reports, the Ticino public prosecutor and the cantonal police released new investigation details on Friday.
The preliminary autopsy report concludes that the woman drowned with high probability. Previous investigations have found no evidence of third-party involvement. No other obvious cause of death resulting from injury or illness could be established.
The results of toxicological and tissue examinations are still pending. More precise statements on the cause of death will only be possible after these become available. Investigations continue; secured traces are being examined and witnesses questioned.
The woman was found lifeless in Lake Lugano on 18 August. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. The case attracted attention beyond the canton of Ticino because shortly beforehand the woman had published secretly recorded telephone conversations with Ticino government councillor Claudio Zali (Lega) on Instagram.
Sensitive audio recordings undermined Zali
In one of the conversations, the woman sought advice from Zali because she felt she was being pursued by another woman. His answer was unambiguous: "Beat her up!" In another conversation, Zali explained that he could contact a friend in Milan who could discretely solve the problem through a third party. He also admitted to having become physical with a woman himself — though he later downplayed this: the person in question had been a stalker, he had merely grabbed her by the arm and removed her from the property.
The recordings increased pressure on Zali further. It was already known that criminal proceedings were underway against him on suspicion of abuse of office and attempted coercion. Zali is said to have advocated for an imprisoned 14-year-old whose mother he knew personally. The teenager is said to have been involved in the unlawful confinement of another minor. In June, Zali convened a meeting with officials from the judiciary, correctional services and medical care; he denies having improperly interfered in the proceedings.
Due to the ongoing criminal proceedings, Zali relinquished responsibility for justice and cantonal police within his department on 23 July. It also became known that he is said to have advocated for the employment of an acquaintance at the Ticino hospital association EOC. At the end of July, the 64-year-old announced his resignation from the cantonal government effective end of September.
Further proceedings regarding attack on the woman remain open
One further question remains unresolved: the deceased woman had stated that she was attacked after the audio recordings were published. The incident is said to have occurred on 8 August. She filed a report and was treated in an accident and emergency department according to her lawyer. In this connection, the public prosecutor is investigating attempted serious and simple assault against unknown parties — this investigation is not yet concluded.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)