Audi Exec Fabrizio Longo cause of death: Tragic incident in Italian alps.
Audi Italia mourns the loss of Its longtime executive after a mountain climb
Fabrizio Longo’s Unexpected Passing: Alpine Adventure Ends in Tragedy
Tragedy struck the Italian Alps as Fabrizio Longo, an Audi executive with a passion for mountain climbing, met his untimely end after a devastating fall at Cima Payer. The 62-year-old, who had been solo climbing, lost his life in a shocking incident that has left the mountaineering and business communities reeling.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation broke the heartbreaking news, confirming that Longo was navigating a “via ferrata,” a protected climbing route, on Saturday, August 31, when disaster struck. A fellow climber witnessed the harrowing fall and immediately alerted rescue teams, but sadly, it was too late.
President Flavio Roda of the Italian Winter Sports Federation expressed deep sorrow, calling Longo’s death “a terrible loss.” The federation, which had a longstanding relationship with Longo through Audi Italia, is mourning alongside his family during this difficult time. Roda’s statement highlights the void left by Longo’s passing, a man who had expertly blended his corporate and outdoor passions.
Longo, known as an “expert and careful mountaineer,” was tackling Cima Payer’s towering peak, which stands over 10,000 feet, when he fell. Rescuers from the Pinzolo Alpine Rescue station were dispatched by helicopter, but upon arrival, they tragically found his body 656 feet below the summit.
Final descent: The life and legacy of Fabrizio Longo
Local reports reveal that Longo’s remains were retrieved by a helicopter from the Guardia di Finanza and transferred to Carisolo. The somber operation marked the end of a life that had been as high-flying as the mountains Longo loved to conquer.
Born in Rimini in 1962, Longo had been at the helm of Audi Italia since 2013, where he masterfully connected the brand with the Italian Winter Sports Federation. His passion for the mountains was more than just a hobby-it was woven into the fabric of his career, influencing the image of Audi in Italy.
Before his tenure at Audi, Longo had carved out an impressive career at Fiat and Lancia. But it was his love for mountaineering, evident in his Facebook posts, that truly defined him. Just two weeks before the fatal climb, he had shared photos from the Anderta Alps, a poignant reminder of the joy he found in the heights that ultimately claimed his life.
