The tragic and disturbing death of Fessor Leonard, former Fortitudo

Federale, a dominant team in those years in Switzerland, remained at the top again in the 1977/78 season and decided to strengthen itself with a very talented player: Fessor Leonard. His résumé is impressive: he had already played in Bologna, Fortitudo side, where he came to the fore with extraordinary performances. His arrival aroused great enthusiasm among fans in Canton Ticino. His story, tragic and disturbing at the same time, remains shrouded in mystery to this day, a case never solved. There was talk of suicide, but it was never proven. His disappearance deeply shocked the team, the city and all of Italian Switzerland. He was also initially accused of assaulting an elderly woman in Massagno, but the woman withdrew the complaint and Leonard was exonerated.

Born June 19, 1953, in Columbus, Georgia, in the deep South of the United States, Leonard grew up in an environment marked by racial discrimination. For him, basketball represented a real chance for social redemption. Six-foot-three, athletic and technically gifted, he was noticed by Furman University, where he established himself as one of the best players at the college level. Despite his talent, he is an introvert and psychologically fragile person.

In 1974 Fortitudo Bologna signed him, seeing great potential in him. With his contribution, the team won promotion to Serie A and in 1976 achieved excellent results, making it all the way to European competitions. In 1977 Leonard led the Bolognese to the Korac Cup final, lost to Jugoplastika Split. Despite his success, he is surprisingly traded to Federale Lugano, a choice that leaves many puzzled.

In Bologna Leonard plays at the highest level and is highly appreciated by the fans, but he remains a lonely person and difficult in relationships. His unstable character and restlessness probably push the club not to confirm him. In Lugano, it is hoped that a less stressful environment will help him regain balance, but things do not go as planned. In the months leading up to his death he fails to express his talent, partly because of depression.

On February 20, 1978 Leonard is found dead in his apartment in Canobbio. The scene presents disturbing elements: burned newspapers, medicines on the bedside table, and closed doors and windows. The news causes dismay in the basketball world. Amid sadness and anger, the suicide hypothesis, never confirmed, takes hold. Leonard, though physically and technically gifted, was fragile and prone to outbursts.

A few days before Christmas 1977 he had been involved in a controversial episode: the assault on an elderly woman in Massagno, which he always denied. He was imprisoned for a few days, a period during which, according to some, he developed the idea of suicide. However, the investigation fails to prove either suicide or his guilt in the attack. The complaint is withdrawn and Leonard is acquitted.

Those who knew him describe him as a difficult person to portray: taciturn, disinclined to socialize. An extraordinary talent, but marked by a deep inner fragility.