Venice, September 19, 2026 – New developments in the case of Gabriella Querino Elorriaga and Sean Michieli, the couple who lost their lives in the boating accident that occurred recently in the Tessera canal. The Corriere del Veneto reports that traces of alcohol and drugs emerged from tests ordered by the Venice Public Prosecutor’s Office on the psychophysical conditions of the water taxi driver who hit the boat in the Lagoon where the two young people were, killing them.
The “traces” in the blood
These would be “traces,” not high values, present in the man’s blood and urine, so further tests will be ordered to confirm the data. Those who transport passengers are always required to have no trace of alcohol or drugs.
Meanwhile, the owner of the water taxi has submitted an application to the Venice Municipality Mobility Office for the transfer of the transport license. The act could have consequences in the event of possible damage compensation in favor of the victims’ families.
Prosecutor Daniela Moroni, in charge of the investigation file for nautical homicide and negligent shipwreck, has scheduled for September 24 the appointment of experts for the consultancy on the accident dynamics. A request for international rogatory has also been made to hear as witnesses the taxi passengers, an American couple, who were heading to Tessera airport to return home.
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The Querino family lawyer: “We will have answers soon”
“Next week autopsies and expert operations will begin, and finally soon we will have answers — stated the lawyer for the Querino family, Rosemary Patrizi Dos Anjos, as reported by the same Corriere del Veneto —. In any case, there is no room to think that the young couple were arguing beyond the usual couple quarrels. In fact, before getting on the boat, the girl had exchanged messages with her mother and was feeling fine.”
The funerals will be joint
Meanwhile, according to the local newspaper, the families of the two young people have decided that the funerals will be joint: the final farewell will take place through a single ceremony. And, when the investigation is concluded and responsibilities are established, Gabriella’s mother will bring her daughter’s body back to Brazil.
The mayor of Venice, Simone Venturini, called the victims’ families to inform them that there will be a citywide mourning in Venice on the day of the couple’s funeral.
