A man operating a speedboat was convicted of manslaughter following a collision off the Amalfi Coast in Italy that resulted in the death of the head of the publishing company associated with the Harry Potter series.
Elio Persico, aged 32, received a sentence of four years and nine months in jail after opting for a plea deal. The victim, Adrienne Vaughan, 45, who served as the president of Bloomsbury Publishing’s U.S. division, lost her life on August 3, 2024, when the speedboat she was aboard crashed into a 130-foot sailboat. Vaughan, vacationing with her spouse and two young kids, was thrown into the water and struck by the speedboat’s propeller.
Persico was charged with manslaughter and reckless injury for allegedly steering the boat while intoxicated by alcohol and cocaine. Tests confirmed the presence of both substances in his system after the incident, which also left him with rib and pelvis injuries.
According to witness Pietro Iuzzolino, as reported by the Italian publication Corriere del Mezzogiorno, the sailboat and the motorboat were both on a straight path before the motorboat suddenly made a 180-degree turn, leading to the collision and a loud impact.
Iuzzolino suspected Persico of being under the influence, claiming to have seen him vomit post-collision. Despite being rescued from the sea and receiving CPR on land, Vaughan was declared dead at the scene.
Vaughan’s husband, Mike White, sustained injuries requiring collarbone surgery due to the crash. Although the couple’s children were physically unharmed, they underwent treatment for shock. White alleged to authorities that Persico was distracted by his phone during the trip, as per Il Messaggero.
White expressed profound grief over his wife’s passing, describing her as a cherished family member and colleague. Bloomsbury Publishing, the company responsible for the Harry Potter books, issued a statement days after the tragedy, extending condolences and honoring Vaughan’s memory.
Nigel Newton, the Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing, conveyed heartfelt sympathies to Vaughan’s loved ones, highlighting her significant contributions to the company. Newton praised her as a talented business leader with a bright future, emphasizing her warmth and strong determination for the company’s success and expansion.
