A husband has been charged with murder after his missing wife was found buried next to his business.
Mother-of-one Federica Torzullo was found dead in a hole covered with brambles on Sunday (18 Jan), 10 days after she disappeared.
The 41-year-old’s body was buried around two metres deep on land adjacent to the earth-moving business owned by her husband, Claudio Carlomagno.
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Subsequently 45-year-old Carlomagno was arrested and formally charged with femicide.
A post-mortem examination found that Federica tried to defend herself as her husband attacked her with a knife, believed to be double-edged.
She suffered four deep cuts to her hands, identified as defensive wounds.
In total, she sustained 23 stab wounds, 19 of them to vital areas between the neck and face, as reported by Need To Know.
She is believed to have died during the night of 8 January from fatal damage to the arterial blood vessels in her neck.
Investigators say the pattern of the wounds is consistent with use by a left-handed attacker, and suspect Carlomagno is left-handed.
The autopsy also found burn marks on Federica’s face, arms and upper chest, suggesting an attempt was made to set fire to the body before it was buried in Anguillara Sabazia, near Rome, Italy.
One of her legs was severed, while the abdomen, pelvis and remaining lower limb were crushed.
Police believe these injuries were caused after death by the bucket of an excavator used to dig the grave, in an effort to destroy the body and hinder identification.
Initial identification was made possible thanks to bracelets Federica regularly wore.
Prosecutors believe she was killed out of jealousy and rage over a new relationship.
Witnesses reported seeing the couple – who were in the process of separating – arguing in the weeks before her death.
The case has led to the resignation of Carlomagno’s mother from her post as Anguillara Sabazia’s security councillor.
Evidence against her son includes blood traces inside his car, on his clothing, on his company’s digger, and inside the villa where the couple lived with their 10-year-old son.
Investigators also point to mobile phone geolocation data and CCTV footage tracking Carlomagno’s movements.
Relative Vincenzo wrote online yesterday (20 Jan): “On behalf of the Torzullo family, I would like to thank everyone who has expressed their condolences and closeness during this time of great pain.
“Your solidarity and the kindness of your thoughts are a great comfort to us in the face of the tragic loss of our beloved Federica.”
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