A preliminary autopsy found that Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old CD Tenerife forward, died from an “accidental thoracic trauma” after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Segunda División match, officials in Santa Cruz de Tenerife confirmed, with the report sent to the judge overseeing the investigation, Clarin.com reported.
The autopsy was performed by specialists at the Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses in Santa Cruz de Tenerife after De Miguel died Tuesday at Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, where he had been admitted since the previous afternoon, according to El Día de Tenerife. The preliminary finding — described as a cause “compatible with death” rather than a final determination — was delivered to Judge Eva Esther Juárez Fernández, who heads the judicial investigation.
What exactly did the autopsy report say about De Miguel’s death?
The forensic team recorded the cause of death as a “traumatismo torácico de carácter accidental” — an accidental thoracic trauma — Infobae reported, citing El Día de Tenerife. The pathologists cautioned that the finding is preliminary and not yet definitive, meaning the final report could refine or confirm the conclusion.
De Miguel died one day after taking a heavy blow to the chest from Owono while the two contested a ball in midfield at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López in Tenerife, in a Spanish Segunda División match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra.
How did the collision happen during the match?
In the stoppage-time minutes of the match, De Miguel chased a ball into the center of the pitch without noticing the onrushing Owono, who leaped and struck him in the chest with his knee, Infobae reported. Referee Manuel Ángel Pérez Hernández described the contact in his match report as “excessive force while the ball was in dispute.”
Owono was sent off with a straight red card. De Miguel clutched his face in pain and collapsed seconds later. Medical staff treated him immediately on the pitch, where he suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, and he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, but did not survive, Infobae reported. The referee suspended the match, and fans in the stadium applauded as De Miguel was carried off.
Who is investigating the death, and what are they examining?
The judicial investigation is being handled by the homicide unit of Spain’s Policía Nacional, Infobae reported. Investigators are not limiting their review to the collision itself: sources close to the case told Infobae they are also analyzing the medical attention De Miguel received on the grass and the conditions of his ambulance transfer to the hospital.
Separately, the chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, said it would be difficult for the episode to become a criminal case if the contact occurred within the normal action of play, TyC Sports reported.
What disciplinary action could Owono face?
Because the referee’s report cites excessive force during a ball challenge, the sanction could reach 12 matches — the maximum allowed under the regulations — which would keep the 25-year-old goalkeeper off the pitch until February, TyC Sports reported. Owono is also under investigation in connection with De Miguel’s death, and he is awaiting the disciplinary resolution from the Spanish football federation.
How has Owono reacted to the death?
Owono posted a message through FC Andorra’s channels: “These are the most difficult days of my life. I feel enormous pain over the loss of Jesús,” as quoted by Clarin.com and CNN en Español.
The Athletic reported that Owono has withdrawn from public life, staying at home without his phone and cut off from contact with the outside world. A source close to a teammate of Owono’s on the Equatorial Guinea national team told The Athletic, on condition of anonymity because of threats received by the goalkeeper’s circle: “Right now, he doesn’t even know who he is,” and another source consulted by The Athletic described him as “destroyed, locked in his house and disconnected from the world.”
The case has also reopened debate about racism in Spanish football. In a LaLiga documentary published in June 2024, Jesús Owono recounted the insults he received as a child, including “monkey” and “go back to your country.”
What tribute did Tenerife’s rival Las Palmas plan?
Two days after the incident, UD Las Palmas announced it would honor De Miguel by wearing a kit in Tenerife’s white and blue colors — its third kit — when it hosts CD Eldense at Estadio Gran Canaria at 17:30 on Sunday, TN reported. “This Sunday, it’s for you, Jesús,” Las Palmas wrote on Instagram, framing the gesture as a show of unity across Canary Islands football beyond the clubs’ rivalry.
Where and when was De Miguel’s funeral held?
De Miguel’s funeral took place Thursday in Navahermosa, Toledo, the village of about 3,500 inhabitants where the forward was born, Infobae reported. Among those present were Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente, who told reporters: “From sorrow and feeling, we send our condolences and our respect.”
Forensic team clarifies trauma findings
Is the autopsy final? No. Forensic specialists said the preliminary report lists the thoracic trauma as a cause compatible with death, but the finding is not yet definitive, Infobae reported.
The blow to De Miguel’s chest came from Owono’s knee during a collision in midfield, as described in the referee’s report.
The chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife said a criminal case would be unlikely if the contact happened within the normal course of play, TyC Sports reported.
At 17:30 on Sunday at Estadio Gran Canaria, when Las Palmas hosts CD Eldense, by wearing Tenerife’s colors.
Earlier coverage: Jesús de Miguel died from accidental thoracic trauma, autopsy says
