Maradona’s Death Trial Includes Seven Accused Argentinean Medical Professionals

Diego Armando Maradona’s death now sits at the center of a major trial. Seven healthcare workers face a charge of murder. The court in San Isidro will decide if what they did or did not do led to Argentina’s loved figure’s sudden death.

Questions About Responsibility

Maradona’s last days were spent in a home in Tigre, Buenos Aires Province, under what was supposed to be an intensive “domiciliary” care plan. Instead of prolonged hospitalization, the former soccer star was to recover in private, assisted by a team of professionals. However, prosecutors allege that this setup failed him. By the time Maradona died on November 25, 2020—just a few weeks after his 60th birthday—he was already experiencing severe cardiac issues. An autopsy later revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy and acute pulmonary edema. Now, as the trial begins, the nation looks on with a mix of sorrow, indignation, and hope that the legal process will shed light on whether these professionals were negligent and, if so, to what extent.

Among those facing charges is Leopoldo Luque, a 43-year-old neurosurgeon and one of Maradona’s chief physicians. Witnesses say Luque preferred home care over hospital treatment, stating this method best suited Maradona’s healing. However, describe a darker situation. They claim Luque overlooked clear signs of heart failure and did not perform proper tests or seek experts to review new warning signs. In addition, Luque stands accused of falsifying Maradona’s signature on a medical record request, an action that raises further doubts about his professionalism.

Another central figure is 40-year-old psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, identified as a primary decision-maker in Maradona’s treatment team. She stands accused not only of failing to manage Maradona’s medication properly but also of signing a medical certificate for a visit that allegedly never took place. According to the prosecutor’s brief, Cosachov was the only medical doctor present at Maradona’s home during his final crisis, yet she supposedly did not step in to administer resuscitation as best practices would demand. Cosachov rejects these claims by her lawyer, saying she behaved properly in that situation while trusting other specialists to provide needed care.

A third key player is Carlos Díaz, a 33-year-old psychoanalyst specializing in addiction treatment. Brought onto the care team just a month before Maradona’s death, Díaz is accused of misleading the family about the seriousness of Maradona’s condition. Prosecutors also assert that Díaz failed to recommend a more comprehensive rehabilitation facility and instead contributed to the confusion by contesting some of Cosachov’s medical directives. While Díaz has not publicly addressed these allegations in detail, the court will examine communication logs and witness testimony to determine whether he knowingly understated Maradona’s deteriorating health.

A Fragmented Care Plan

Beyond the clinicians, the prosecution has charged healthcare workers lower on the organizational ladder with complicity in failing to prevent Maradona’s demise. One is clinical physician Pedro Di Spagna, who is responsible for overseeing basic vitals and checkups during the so-called “domiciliary” phase. Records indicate he visited only twice in 14 days.

Allegedly, he requested tests that were never confirmed, then left matters undone when Maradona refused further oversight. Di Spagna acknowledges his visits were limited, attributing it to resistance from the patient and a lack of direct instructions from higher-level specialists.

Also on trial are nurse coordinator Mariano Perroni and nurse Ricardo Almirón. Perroni was charged with falsifying daily reports that described Maradona as receiving consistent medical attention, while Almirón purportedly lacked essential equipment and instructions to monitor the patient’s vitals. Almirón has claimed he was systematically “left in the dark,” with no real authority or resources, and that Maradona often refused to allow the nurse to enter his room. This confusing chain of command culminated in each caregiver believing someone else was handling Maradona’s more pressing issues.

Finally, there is Nancy Forlini, a 56-year-old senior manager at Swiss Medical who oversaw the overall structure of Maradona’s home care. She contends that the request she received was for “domiciliary care,” not an at-home intensive care unit. According to her testimony, personal physicians such as Luque and Cosachov were expected to oversee all major decisions, rendering her administrative role essentially limited. Nonetheless, the prosecution alleges that Forlini demonstrated “disinterest and indifference” to an escalating emergency.

A Legend’s Tragic Legacy

Diego Maradona Jr., son of the soccer legend, voiced a dramatic allegation just before the trial: “Le hicieron morir,” he told Spanish television, accusing the defendants of causing his father’s death. He believes multiple people stood to benefit in the chaotic days after Maradona’s passing, pointing to “muchísima plata” (large sums of money) that disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Although issues of money matter do not fall within this trial’s main purpose, they show how people feel betrayed and upset about the case.

Argentina grieved the loss of its famous national hero, remembered for the “Hand of God” goal and for leading the Albiceleste to a win in the 1986 World Cup. Yet this trial forces the country to examine whether the star was treated with the diligence and respect his fragile health demanded. The charges of homicide with probable intent (dolo eventual) suggest a legal perspective that these caregivers might have anticipated a fatal result yet persisted with risky or negligent decisions. Lawyers for each defendant deny these claims strongly. They say their clients did as well as possible, given the limits and difficulties of the situation. Besides those on trial, another case includes nurse Dahiana Madrid, who asked for a jury trial. This process proves that the case may persist for a long period. It holds several witness accounts, expert views, plus diverse statements meant to shape the verdict. While justice in Argentina moves forward, the world watches – especially those who value Maradona’s legacy and wish to know how their hero ended his life.

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In the end, the result of this case may force the health sector to review how famous or severely ill people are cared for outside hospitals. It might force families, doctors, and insurance companies to define duties clearly and make sure patients obtain proper supervision, regardless of who pays or leads care. For now, the trial stands as a solemn milestone in the story of Diego Armando Maradona—an enduring legend whose untimely death remains steeped in questions, grief, and a pursuit of accountability.