Pantani's mother calls for further investigations

Toninia Pantani, mother of the deceased Marco Pantani, has called for further investigations into the circumstances of the death of her son. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Voce di Romagna she said, "I am sure that Marco was not alone in the last hours of his life. Someone was in the room with him and I hope that the truth will come out.

"The toilet had been removed from his hotel room, there was chaos in the whole room, and my son didn't even have any scratches on his hands. How is this possible?" she asked. In addition, she noted that two jackets which did not belong to Pantani were found in his room. "It must be discovered who they belonged to," she added.

Pantani died on Feb. 14, 2004, in a hotel room in Rimini from the results of a cocaine overdose. Four drug dealers and Pantani's last girlfriend have been charged with contributing to his death.

Courtesy of Susan Westemeyer