ON
← Back to feed
 An obsessive and uncontrollable urge, serial behaviour : the report of the carabinieri on Luca Spada, who took selfies with coffins
Italy🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

An obsessive and uncontrollable urge, serial behaviour : the report of the carabinieri on Luca Spada, who took selfies with coffins

The article discusses the psychological evaluation conducted by the Racis (Research Center for Investigative Psychology) of Luca Spada, a former ambulance driver accused of killing six elderly patients through air injections. The report describes his actions as driven by an 'obsessive and uncontrollable impulse' and identifies a 'serial behavior pattern.' This assessment was used by prosecutors to argue against granting Spada bail, citing a high risk of reoffending. The defense had requested house arrest, claiming his dismissal from the Red Cross eliminated the possibility of similar crimes. Spada denies the charges and faces trial for the murder of Deanna Mambelli. The report highlights elements such as persistent elimination motives and well-planned attacks, suggesting a calculated approach to selecting victims. It also notes incidents where Spada experienced medical issues during hospital visits, which specialists believe could indicate premeditation.

Luca Spada, 28-year-old former ambulance driver accused of killing six elderly patients through air injections, has been described by military police specialists as acting under a "compulsive, uncontrollable drive" with a "serial behavior pattern." This assessment comes from the Rome-based Carabinieri's Psychological Investigation Section (RACIS), which analyzed his personality as part of a legal review. The findings were cited in the prosecutor’s opinion and in a court order rejecting a request for bail during the summer. Spada is currently in custody facing charges related to the deaths of six individuals, including the 85-year-old Deanna Mambelli, whose murder will be tried immediately in October. The RACIS experts identified a "criminal behavior with serial characteristics," noting a repeated pattern of actions over time, marked by recurring elements. They emphasized that the conduct was not attributable to isolated incidents but instead reflected a consistent behavioral schema. According to the analysis, Spada selected victims, primarily elderly and ill individuals, based on a predatory logic, indicating a calculated approach. His actions were characterized as "connected and articulated," suggesting a coherent plan and intent. During the investigation, authorities discovered through colleagues’ testimony that Spada took selfies with coffins, funeral cars, and even grave sites. He had previously worked with a funeral agency, though there was no formal employment relationship. These behaviors, according to the RACIS report, align with patterns observed in serial offenders, highlighting potential psychological motivations. The defense argued that Spada’s dismissal from the Red Cross in May eliminated the possibility of repeating similar offenses, requesting house arrest. However, Prosecutor Andrea Marchini used the RACIS findings to argue that the risk of recurrence remained high. The report noted that while there was a "cooling-off period" between crimes, this did not necessarily indicate a break in the criminal project but rather its continuation in less visible forms. The RACIS analysis also pointed to specific traits associated with such crimes, including the persistence of elimination motives over time and well-structured actions based on deliberate victim selection. Spada’s hospital visits, including one incident where he reportedly caused an embolism, were considered indicative of a preparatory phase involving experimentation and refinement of methods. These factors contribute to the overall profile of a person engaged in systematic, premeditated acts. The case continues as Spada faces trial for the murder of Deanna Mambelli, with further legal proceedings scheduled for October. The psychological evaluation remains a key component in assessing both the nature of the alleged crimes and the likelihood of future offenses.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

ANSA logoANSAIndependentCenterFactual 86Objective 809/8/2026
Deaths in the ambulance, 'Serial sword, obsessive and uncontrollable drive'

Luca Spada, ex autista di ambulanze arrestato per aver ucciso sei pazienti con iniezioni d'aria, è descritto dagli esperti del Racis (sezione psicologia investigativa dei carabinieri) come un individuo guidato da una 'spinta motivazionale interna, ossessiva e incontrollabile'. Secondo la relazione prodotta per la Procura di Forlì, Spada ha agito con una logica predatoria e seriale, selezionando vittime anziane e malate. Il GIP ha respinto la richiesta di scarcerazione avanzata dalla difesa, anche se Spada era stato licenziato dalla Croce Rossa. La difesa sostiene che il rischio di ulteriori crimini fosse diminuito dopo il licenziamento, ma il PM Andrea Marchini ha evidenziato il pericolo persistente, basandosi sulle analisi del Racis. Gli esperti hanno sottolineato che Spada mostra un comportamento delittuoso con carattere di serialità, con azioni ben coordinate e scelte precise delle vittime.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a clinical and forensic analysis of Luca Spada's alleged criminal behavior by experts from the military police. It does not take a clear ideological stance but focuses on psychological profiling and legal proceedings. The framing remains neutral, emphasizing expert opinions and

Why factuality (86): This article provides a detailed account of the psychological assessment by the Racis specialists and the legal implications. It corroborates the information presented in the first article, maintaining consistency with the cross-source consensus. No significant discrepancies or unsupported claims ar

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a balanced tone, presenting both the defense's arguments and the prosecution's stance. It avoids emotionally charged language and presents the facts in a straightforward manner, though it does highlight the seriousness of the charges.

Il Fatto Quotidiano logoIl Fatto QuotidianoIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 789/8/2026
An obsessive and uncontrollable urge, serial behaviour : the report of the carabinieri on Luca Spada, who took selfies with coffins

The article discusses the psychological evaluation conducted by the Racis (Research Center for Investigative Psychology) of Luca Spada, a former ambulance driver accused of killing six elderly patients through air injections. The report describes his actions as driven by an 'obsessive and uncontrollable impulse' and identifies a 'serial behavior pattern.' This assessment was used by prosecutors to argue against granting Spada bail, citing a high risk of reoffending. The defense had requested house arrest, claiming his dismissal from the Red Cross eliminated the possibility of similar crimes. Spada denies the charges and faces trial for the murder of Deanna Mambelli. The report highlights elements such as persistent elimination motives and well-planned attacks, suggesting a calculated approach to selecting victims. It also notes incidents where Spada experienced medical issues during hospital visits, which specialists believe could indicate premeditation.

Bias read (Center): While the subject involves a criminal case with potential legal and societal implications, the article primarily presents the findings of a psychological evaluation without overtly promoting a political agenda. The framing remains objective, focusing on the expert analysis rather than taking a clear

Why factuality (85): The article reports the findings of the Racis specialists from the Carabinieri's psychology investigative section regarding Luca Spada's behavior. It aligns with the cross-source consensus as both articles mention similar details about the psychological evaluation and the legal proceedings. The arti

Why objectivity (78): The tone remains largely neutral, presenting the findings of the experts and the legal responses. However, there is some emphasis on the severity of the alleged actions and the risk of reoffending, which may slightly lean towards portraying Spada in a more negative light.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories