Gaia Costa succumbed to severe cranial trauma after hitting her head on asphalt when struck by a BMW X5 driven by German executive Vivian Spohr, wife of Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr. This finding emerged from an autopsy conducted Tuesday afternoon on the 24-year-old Tempio Pausania resident, who died last week in Porto Cervo.
Appointed by Tempio Pausania prosecutors, forensic pathologist Salvatore Lorenzoni performed the examination at Sassari’s Institute of Legal Medicine. The victim’s family consultant, Francesco Serra, attended alongside defense-nominated observer Ernesto D’Aloja. Lawyers Angelo Merlini and Alessandro Vitale represent Spohr.
Costa’s body has been released to her family for a funeral scheduled Wednesday, July 15, 2025, at 5:30 PM in Tempio Pausania’s San Pietro Cathedral. The town will observe mourning during the service. Mayor Gianni Lampis declared citywide mourning from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM Wednesday, with municipal flags at half-mast all day, honoring Costa as “an exemplary young woman who left an indelible mark on the community.” Costa worked as a babysitter in Porto Cervo.
Investigators continue probing the incident where Spohr—vacationing in Costa Smeralda and since returned to Germany—reportedly failed to notice Costa crossing the pedestrian walkway. Authorities are examining whether Spohr accelerated before impact despite initially moving slowly. Her mobile phone and vehicle have been seized.
Through her attorneys, Spohr previously expressed “shock and profound sorrow,” pledging cooperation with Italian justice to “mitigate consequences.” The victim’s family has not yet commented.
© Copyright ANSA