Romain Pizzato, a renowned ski coach, was found dead in his swimming pool in Tunisia over the weekend of September 17-18, 2022. His partner and two other people were arrested.
Romain Pizzato was a particularly renowned ski coach. The 42-year-old man, from the Ubaye valley in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, was the founder of Racing Ski For Race and coached promising young athletes throughout the year. While in Ajim, Tunisia, he was found dead in swimming pool over the weekend of September 17-18, 2022.
After the announcement of his death, the Quai d’Orsay reacted in a press release according to BFM DICI : “We learned with great sadness of the death of one of our compatriots in Tunisia, in circumstances that remain to be clarified. Our embassy is mobilized and in liaison with the local authorities“. After the discovery of the victim’s body, an autopsy was requested in order to understand the exact circumstances of his death.
Romain Pizzato’s companion quickly arrested
According to the first elements of the investigation, traces of violence were observed on Romain Pizzato’s face, neck and chest. Very quickly, the thesis of the murder was favored and the investigators turned to the companion of the ski coach. According Digital Tunisia : “The investigation quickly led to the conclusion of a murder, and suspicions were directed towards his Tunisian fiancée, in her twenties.“. After being arrested, the young woman would have confessed to having killed her companion with the help of two accomplices. The latter were quickly identified and also arrested.
Thursday, September 22, the fiancée of Romain Pizzato and his two accomplices were presented before a judge at the court of Medenine in Tunisia. Riadh Yangui, the prosecutor of Medenine confided in BFM DICI. He explained that the three individuals were suspected of premeditated homicidewhich could lead toa sentence carrying the death penalty“. Indeed, if no execution has been carried out since 1991, Tunisian justice continues to pronounce death sentences. According to Riadh Yangui, the victim’s companion was “lost and confused” and would have explained to have been strangled by Romain Pizzato. She then allegedly phoned two relatives related to her to ask for help. “She didn’t want to kill her fiancé“according to his first declarations.
The ski world pays tribute to its coach
If the autopsy of Romain Pizzato is still in progress, it should soon make it possible to clarify the exact circumstances of his death. Indeed, the Medenine prosecutor explained about the blows to the victim: “It is not known if this is what caused the death of the victim or a drowning since he was thrown into the swimming pool“. Tunisian justice has also seized ski coach’s personal belongings. She hopes “study his telephone exchanges and what was on his computer“to understand under what conditions he was killed and whether there was premeditation or not.
On the side of the relatives of Romain Pizzato, it is the shock. Indeed, the 42-year-old man was particularly appreciated in the Ubaye valley, but also by those he trained. Belgian skier Axelle Mollin gave her paid tribute on social media where his trainer shared many photos of his victories. She posted a selfie with the founder of Racing Ski For Race with the caption: “No words can express the pain of losing a coach, a friend… my number one fan. I’m so grateful for the memories we made together. You will always be in my heart“. A beautiful tribute to the one who was known for his great kindness on the ski slopes.