Prosecutors open third investigation into death of Marco Pantani
In 2004 a court ruled Pantani died from a drug overdose, but this investigation will focus on homicide charges

A third investigation has been opened into the death of Marco Pantani, the Italian cyclist who was found dead in hotel room in Rimini on February 14 2004.
Fiorenzo Alessi, the attorney representing the Pantani family, told ANSA (opens in new tab) the third investigation will focus on homicide charges, after documents were sent to the Rimini Public Prosecutor's Office in 2019 by the anti-mafia parliamentary commission.
Fabio Miradossa, the man who sold drugs to Pantani, also told the anti-mafia parliamentary commission in 2020 the Italian rider was killed, rather than died as a result of an overdose. Miradossa plea-bargained for a four-year, 10-month jail term in 2005 for providing Pantani with drugs, with his claims now forming part of the investigation.
Officials are now looking into "unknown persons" in the case, with reportedly 51 pages of new evidence now available to prosecutors.
According to Italian newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale (opens in new tab), Rimini Public Prosecutor's Office met Tonina Pantani, Marco's mother, to discuss new evidence that might present a breakthrough in her desire to prove her son didn't die of a drug overdose.
She told the newspaper: “I went over the whole story. I was, and I remain, convinced that the whole truth about Marco’s death has not yet come out, about what happened at the hotel in the hours and days before his death.
“I don't want revenge but only truth and justice. The truth has not yet emerged."
The first investigation into his death concluded Pantani died alone in a hotel room of an apparent cocaine overdose. The cause of death was decided by "the consumption, certainly voluntary, of massive doses of cocaine and antidepressant drugs."
His family has long disputed that the 1998 Tour de France winner died in those circumstances though, claiming something else caused his death at the age of 34.
A second inquiry opened in 2014 after the family insisted he might have been murdered, but the hypothesis of murder was considered "mere fanciful conjecture", and no charges were subsequently filed.
In 2017, the Supreme Court then rejected a final appeal from Pantani's family, stating he wasn't murdered.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi, I'm a Trainee News Writer at Cycling Weekly.
I have worked for Future across its various sports titles since December 2020, writing news for Cycling Weekly, FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture. I am currently studying for a NCTJ qualification alongside my role as Trainee News Writer at the company.
Prior to joining Future I attended Cardiff University, earning a degree in Journalism & Communications.
-
-
Is this Ineos Grenadiers' Tour de France team? Geraint Thomas teases with eight-man training squad photo
It would not be a surprise to see the same faces in Copenhagen
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali rolls back the years with shark attack on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
37-year-old up to fifth on general classification with five stages left
By Adam Becket • Published
-
In Pantani's shadow: The plight of Italian cycling
By Simon Richardson • Published
-
Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins among riders invited to Marco Pantani granfondo
The Marco Pantani gran fondo could have a pretty strong start list, with organisers hoping to tempt the likes of Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins.
By Henry Robertshaw • Published
-
Marco Pantani's parents lose high court appeal on ruling over his death
The late climber's parents push against a ruling saying his death was suicide and not murder
By Gregor Brown • Published
-
Marco Pantani Mafia inquiry closed by judge
Italian judge closes the investigation into whether Marco Pantani's 1999 Giro expulsion was due to mafia involvement
By Gregor Brown • Published
-
Mafia were behind Marco Pantani's exclusion from 1999 Giro, say Italian police
Police in Forli claim the Camorra mafia corrupted UCI doctors in order to change Marco Pantani's haematocrit levels and get him ejected from the Giro d'Italia
By Stuart Clarke • Published
-
Marco Pantani murder theory lives on in Italian courts
Italian judge orders a hearing in February to take one final look at the circumstances surrounding the death of former professional Marco Pantani in 2004
By Gregor Brown • Published
-
Marco Pantani case closed: 'Suicide not murder'
Investigation in Italy concludes that Marco Pantani lost his life due to suicide, and not murder
By Gregor Brown • Published
-
Marco Pantani's family continues to pursue claim he was murdered
Lawyer representing Marco Pantani's family gives video evidence, but prosecutor is sceptical that the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France winner was murdered
By Gregor Brown • Published