The cause of death of Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has been revealed following a tragic collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a second-division match in Tenerife. A preliminary autopsy report identified accidental chest trauma as the cause consistent with the 30-year-old striker’s death, adding an important development to the investigation into the incident that shocked Spanish football.

The fatal collision occurred on Monday, November 2, during a match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium. The incident happened deep into stoppage time, around the 97th minute, when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to challenge for the ball. As both players attempted to reach it, the goalkeeper struck De Miguel in the chest with considerable force. The Tenerife forward immediately collapsed, clutching his torso, leaving players from both teams visibly distressed.

Owono was shown a straight red card for the challenge, while the match, which was level at 2–2, was abandoned. Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch to ᴀssist De Miguel, who reportedly suffered cardiac arrest. He was initially revived by emergency responders before being transported to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Despite medical efforts, his condition deteriorated, and the club confirmed his death on Tuesday morning, November 3.

The preliminary post-mortem findings, submitted to an investigating court in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, identified accidental chest trauma as consistent with the fatal outcome. However, the forensic examination is not yet complete. Additional laboratory tests and medical ᴀssessments are still pending, meaning the final conclusions may provide further details about the precise circumstances of his death.

Authorities are also examining the emergency response provided on the pitch and during the transfer to hospital. Investigators are reportedly reviewing video footage, medical documentation and witness accounts to establish whether the appropriate procedures were followed. Questions have been raised in local reporting about the use of oxygen, the availability and use of a defibrillator, and the way De Miguel was transported from the field. These matters remain under investigation, and no conclusions about medical responsibility have been established.

The investigation is also considering the circumstances of the collision itself. Under Spanish law, deaths resulting from non-natural causes are subject to judicial examination. Although police have investigated the possibility of involuntary manslaughter, legal experts quoted by European media have suggested that criminal charges against Owono are unlikely because the incident occurred during active play. Any disciplinary action by football authorities would be a separate matter.

Following the tragedy, Owono released a statement through FC Andorra expressing his immense grief over De Miguel’s death. He said he was struggling to find words to describe what had happened and extended his thoughts to the footballer’s family and everyone who loved him. His statement reflected the emotional impact of the incident on both sides, as teammates and supporters struggled to process the loss.

The tragedy was especially painful for De Miguel’s family because his partner, María Fernández, and their one-year-old daughter, Carla, were reportedly watching the match from the stands when the collision occurred. His parents also travelled urgently to Tenerife after learning about the incident, hoping to reach their son before his condition became irreversible.

As the preliminary autopsy findings became public, the Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed that the investigating court had received the report and authorised the transfer of his remains to mainland Spain for burial. His funeral was scheduled to take place in Navahermosa, near Toledo, where his parents live.

De Miguel’s death has left a deep sense of sadness throughout Spanish football. What began as an ordinary compeтιтive moment in a league match ended in an unimaginable loss for his family, teammates and supporters. While the preliminary findings have identified accidental chest trauma, investigators continue working to establish the full sequence of events, including the medical ᴀssistance he received after collapsing.

For now, the football community is remembering a player whose life ended far too soon, while his loved ones face the difficult task of saying goodbye. The final forensic conclusions and the ongoing investigation may provide further answers about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.