Dead Hobby Hunters in Trentino: Was It Murder After All?
Evidence pointing to murder is mounting in the case of the dead hobby hunters in Trentino. The investigation is taking a dramatic turn.
The autopsy and initial results of the ballistic expert report confirm it: the death of 24-year-old hobby hunter Massimiliano Lucietti in Celledizzo was neither a hunting accident nor a suicide. As previously reported, the young man had been found dead in the forests above the hamlet of Pejo in the Val di Sole valley. The shot was fired at close range into the back of the 24-year-old's neck — possibly while the young man was lying face down on the ground, lying in wait for an animal.
Retired Forest Ranger Takes His Own Life
The lifeless body was discovered by retired forest ranger Maurizio Gionta, who took his own life the same day with a gunshot to the head. The 59-year-old, who was also a hobby hunter, left behind a farewell letter stating: “Do not blame me for what I did not do.”
Investigation Into Further Hobby Hunters
The mystery surrounding Lucietti's death may indeed involve other hobby hunters who were present in the forested area that morning: investigations are continuing in this direction as well. According to Corriere della Sera, investigators summoned and questioned at least two further hobby hunters who had been in the forests of Celledizzo on 31 October. That firearms in the hands of hobby hunters pose a safety risk is also demonstrated by the Crime and Hobby Hunting section on wildbeimwild.com.
