A missing former Italian soldier trained to survive in extreme conditions has been found dead after being caught in a violent snowstorm at the posh Swiss ski resort of St Moritz.
Luciano Capasso, 25, set off from St. Moritz, in the canton of Graubunden, Switzerland, when he was hit by what rescuers believe was a massive level 4 avalanche.
Luciano, from Qualiano near Naples, disappeared on 18th February and his body was only recovered on Sunday, 22nd February.
Luciano Capasso poses in one of his last photos on social media. He died just weeks later after disappearing on 18 February 2026 during a ski trip in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
Luciano, who was working as a driver at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, had set out alone at an altitude of around 2,700 metres (8,850 feet) on his day off.
According to Swiss authorities, he was overtaken by the powerful snowstorm while in the mountains.
When he failed to return, the alarm was raised and search efforts were launched, but operations were hampered by severe weather conditions. His last known location was in the Fuorcla Trovat area.
Luciano Capasso poses in undated photo. He was found dead days after disappearing on 18 February 2026 during a ski trip in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
On the morning of 22nd February, rescue teams located and recovered his body, bringing the five-day search to an end.
His family confirmed his death through his mother, Raffaella Grande, and their lawyer, Sergio Pisani. Pisani said Luciano was a former member of the Italian military who had been trained to survive in extreme conditions.
The lawyer said: “We had a precise geolocation, but the bad weather did not allow a recovery. This morning, with the sun, it was very quick.”
Luciano's brother, Emmanuel, alleged there had been serious negligence in the handling of requests for help. He claimed that from the outset authorities responded dismissively to their concerns and cited the weather as the reason search operations were suspended.
Luciano Capasso poses in undated photo. He was found dead days after disappearing on 18 February 2026 during a ski trip in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash)
In a statement issued later, police said Luciano may have been caught in a category four avalanche. If so, they said death could have occurred within minutes, depending on the formation of air pockets, and even immediate rescue efforts might not have been able to save him.
The family has requested the urgent repatriation of his body to Italy and asked that no autopsy be carried out in Switzerland.
They are in contact with Italy’s Foreign Ministry and the Italian Consulate General in Zurich, which is assisting with the necessary procedures.
Luciano's brother has travelled to Zurich to complete the required formalities with local authorities as arrangements are made for the return of his body to Italy.
(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)