The Institute of Legal Medicine in Zamora, Spain, has officially released the remaining body parts of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva to their family, following the tragic car accident that claimed their lives on July 3, 2025, at 12:30 AM local time on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora.
The 28-year-old Portuguese forward and his 26-year-old brother, a Penafiel midfielder, perished when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.
The release, confirmed by posts on X from sources like @Record_Portugal and @SICNoticias, followed forensic identification and autopsies to confirm the brothers’ identities, given the severe fire damage to the wreckage, as noted by El País.
Spanish authorities, per The Guardian and BBC Sport, initially attributed the crash to a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, but a police report cited by Liverpool manager Arne Slot revealed a suspicious substance resembling a bomb, prompting a sabotage investigation.
The Institute’s release of the remains, as reported by @Zamora3punto0, allows the family to proceed with a wake in Porto on July 4 and a funeral on July 5, as per The Athletic. The Portuguese embassy is facilitating legal processes, according to @ojogo.
Liverpool’s statement expressed devastation, pledging support for Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children, while requesting privacy. Rute’s collapse from shock on July 3 required hospitalization, amplifying the tragedy’s toll.
Tributes from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro have flooded in, with UEFA confirming a minute’s silence at Women’s Euro 2025 matches.
Fans have gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers and scarves, with @LFC4Ever posting, “Jota’s legacy lives on—YNWA.” The Portuguese FA and Liverpool are exploring a youth football foundation to honor the brothers.
The sabotage probe, fueled by the suspicious substance, has intensified scrutiny, with forensic tests ongoing to determine its role in the crash. Jota’s 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances and André’s rising career at Penafiel leave a profound void.
As the investigation continues, the release of their remains marks a somber step toward closure for their family and the football community, grappling with this unfathomable loss ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 17.