Franco Castaldo, founder of Grandangolo, dies in Sicily

Franco Castaldo Grandangolo Agrigento Sicilian journalism organized crime reporting

Franco Castaldo, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Agrigento-based news outlet Grandangolo, has died. His passing was announced by the publication's editorial staff in a tribute titled “Ciao Direttore,” which noted that the outlet would be darkened in mourning.

Castaldo was a prominent figure in Sicilian journalism, known for his investigative work on organized crime. During his tenure as a reporter for La Sicilia, he covered the mafia wars in the Agrigento province, a period of reporting that required him and his family to live under armed police escort due to security risks.

An author of several books on organized crime, including “Mafia e Stidda” and “Mafiare,” Castaldo founded Grandangolo on December 11, 2004. The publication evolved from a fortnightly to a weekly newspaper and became a significant digital news source for the region. His colleagues described him as a mentor who emphasized professional rigor, independence, and investigative depth.

Entities

Agrigento · Franco Castaldo · Grandangolo · La Sicilia · Sicily

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Franco Castaldo was the founder and editor-in-chief of Grandangolo. www.favaraweb.com · www.siciliaonpress.com · www.grandangoloagrigento.it · risoluto.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Castaldo authored the books “Mafia e Stidda” and “Mafiare”. www.siciliaonpress.com · risoluto.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Grandangolo was first published on December 11, 2004. www.siciliaonpress.com · risoluto.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Castaldo lived under armed escort due to his reporting on the mafia. www.siciliaonpress.com · risoluto.it
[● 2 SOURCES] The Grandangolo editorial staff decided to obscure the journal in mourning. www.favaraweb.com · www.grandangoloagrigento.it
[● 2 SOURCES] Castaldo died during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. www.siciliaonpress.com · risoluto.it