A speedboat operator has been 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 popular Harry Potter series. Elio Persico, aged 32, received a sentence of four years and nine months in prison after accepting a plea deal. Adrienne Vaughan, aged 45, who served as the president of the US division of Bloomsbury Publishing, tragically passed away on August 3, 2024, when the speedboat she was aboard crashed into a 130-foot sailboat. Vaughan, who was vacationing with her spouse and two young children, was thrown into the water and struck by the propeller of the speedboat.
Persico faced charges of manslaughter and causing injury due to negligence for reportedly piloting the boat while intoxicated and under the influence of cocaine. Tests indicated the presence of both alcohol and cocaine in his system after the incident, which resulted in injuries to his ribs and pelvis.
According to witness Pietro Iuzzolino, as reported in the Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno, the sailboat and motorboat were moving straight ahead before the motorboat suddenly made a 180-degree turn, leading to a collision and a loud impact. Iuzzolino suspected that Persico was inebriated, mentioning that he witnessed him vomiting after the crash. Vaughan was rescued from the water, but unfortunately, despite efforts by emergency services to resuscitate her, she was declared deceased at the scene.
Vaughan’s husband, Mike White, sustained injuries in the collision and had to undergo surgery on his collarbone. Their children were physically unharmed but required treatment for shock. White alleged to authorities that Persico had been distracted by his phone during the journey, as reported by Il Messaggero.
White expressed the profound impact of his wife’s death on their family, describing her as a cherished mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, and valued friend and colleague to many. Bloomsbury Publishing, the publisher of the Harry Potter series, issued a statement a few days following Vaughan’s passing, extending sympathies and honoring her memory.
Nigel Newton, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury, conveyed condolences to Vaughan’s family, highlighting her remarkable leadership qualities and dedication to the company’s success. Newton praised Vaughan for her warmth, determination, and significant contributions to expanding Bloomsbury’s presence in the American market.