Woman found dead in lake at Melide, third-party involvement ruled out

The public prosecutor's office and the cantonal police have released the first results of the investigation into the body of a 52-year-old Swiss woman, resident in the Lugano region, found dead in the waters of Lake Ceresio at Melide. According to the authorities, the checks carried out so far have found no evidence of third-party involvement in the death.

The preliminary forensic autopsy report found no evident alternative traumatic or pathological cause. For this reason, investigators currently consider death by drowning the most likely hypothesis. The authorities stress, however, that this remains a provisional conclusion.

The preliminary report will still need to be supplemented with the results of further tests that have already been ordered but are not yet available. These include an extensive toxicological screening and histological samples, needed so the conclusions can be confirmed from a medical-scientific standpoint as well. In parallel, the investigation continues with the examination of collected traces and the gathering of witness statements.

The case linked to the recordings with Zali

The case drew wide attention because, less than a month before her death, the woman had made public recordings of phone calls with State Councillor Claudio Zali, recordings that had already caused a stir.

Alongside the case of the body found in the lake, another investigation is also under way. It was opened following a complaint of assault filed by the woman on 8 August. The proceedings, which involve the alleged offences of attempted serious bodily harm and simple bodily harm, are currently directed against a person or persons unknown.

The public prosecutor's office stated that it will report on developments in the investigation only once solid findings are available. The authorities stressed that they will act in accordance with current rules and with consideration for the victim's family, taking into account the time needed to complete the ongoing checks.