Death of Diego Maradona: results of a new expert opinion published, no traces of alcohol or drugs

Football legend Diego Maradona, who died on November 25 at the age of 60, suffered from kidney, cardiovascular and liver disorders, but had not recently consumed alcohol or drugs, according to an expert opinion released Tuesday night to Wednesday. 

This complementary analysis to the autopsy was conducted by the Public Prosecutor's Office of San Isidro (east) to ensure that no negligence or recklessness was committed in the care of the Argentinean idol of Naples, while his surgeon is under investigation for manslaughter.

The document published by the public prosecutor's office states that Maradona suffered from cirrhosis, kidney failure and kidney problems, as well as numerous heart and arterial disorders.

No traces of alcohol or drugs were found in the blood or urine of the 1986 World Cup winner. However, toxicological tests revealed several traces of medication, including an antidepressant, in his body. 

"What shows up is just as important as what doesn't show up in these laboratory tests. At first glance, they confirm that Maradona received psychotropic drugs, but no medication for her heart problems," commented one of the investigators at the Telam agency.  

The autopsy performed on the day of the former footballer's death concluded that "acute pulmonary edema", "chronic heart failure" and "cardiomyopathy" caused his death. 

The results of the complementary analyses to the autopsy have been published while the causes of death of the Argentinean idol of Naples are still the subject of intense debate. His surgeon Leopoldo Luque and his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are notably in the sights of justice.

Accused by three of Maradona's daughters for his management of their father's heart problems, Luque, who had operated on Maradona with a brain haematoma three weeks before his death, defended himself at the end of November.

"You want to know what I am responsible for? For loving him, for taking care of him, for prolonging his life, for making him better until the end," the doctor said at a televised press conference.