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A year-long massacre: 2024 and the annus horribilis of feminicides in Italy

With 109 victims as of 22 December, 2024 has recorded a disturbing number of women murdered, most of them within the family. A striking case every month, a life cut short almost every three days

2024 proved to be a tragic year for women in Italy, with 109 feminicides recorded from 1 January to 22 December. Of these victims, 95 were killed within family or emotional contexts and 59 lost their lives at the hands of their partner or ex-partner. Here are the most significant cases month by month.

Rosa D’Ascenzo, the first victim of the year

On 1 January, Rosa D’Ascenzo, 71, died after being pushed down the stairs by her husband, Giulio Camilli, in a cottage near Rome. Although the man had tried to pass the incident off as an accident, the injuries on Rosa’s body, especially to the head, were not consistent with his version.

Nicoletta Zomparelli and Reneé Amato: February in blood

On 13 February in Cisterna di Latina, Nicoletta Zomparelli and Reneé Amato, mother and daughter respectively, were killed by Christian Sodano, a 27-year-old financier. The man, armed with a service pistol, acted in revenge for Nicoletta’s daughter Desireé’s girlfriend’s decision to leave him.

Li Xuemei: March in Rome

On 16 March, Li Xuemei, a 37-year-old Chinese woman, was killed by her husband with a knife during a domestic dispute while their 5-year-old daughter was sleeping in the same house.

Cristiane Soares De Souza: April in Ostia

In April, 46-year-old Brazilian Cristiane Soares De Souza died falling from the fourth floor of a building in Ostia. A Moldavian man, with whom she had been living for 20 days, confessed to the murder.

Francesca Deidda: May in Sardinia

The body of Francesca Deidda, who disappeared on 10 May, was only found on 18 July hidden in a duffel bag. Her husband, Igor Sollai, suspected from the start, only confessed to the murder in November, admitting that he had struck her in her sleep.

Sharon Verzeni: July of terror

On the night of 29-30 July, 33-year-old Sharon Verzeni was stabbed in Terno d’Isola, Bergamo, by a man she had never met before, who later confessed to the murder, attributing it to a ‘raptus’.

Annarita Morelli: August in Rome

On 3 August, 72-year-old Annarita Morelli was killed by her husband from whom she had separated. The man waited for her outside a veterinary and shot her in the street with a shotgun.

Giovanna Chinnici: October in Monza

Giovanna Chinnici, 63, was stabbed to death by her brother-in-law Giuseppe Caputo following a family quarrel.

Luisa Trombetta: November in Terracina

In November, 82-year-old Luisa Trombetta was found dead in her home. Her 93-year-old husband was arrested for murder.

Emanuela Massicci: December in the province of Ascoli Piceno

On 19 December, Emanuela Massicci was murdered by her husband in their home. After beating and stabbing her, he suffocated her while their children aged 5 and 10 were in another room.

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