Marco Panichi remains in custody for murder of partner in Vergiate

A judge in Avezzano has validated the arrest and ordered pretrial detention for 53-year-old Marco Panichi, who confessed to the murder of his partner, 36-year-old Grey Noralba Sanmartin Villalba.

The victim was found in an apartment in the Cuirone district of Vergiate, Varese, after being stabbed 15 times with a kitchen knife. Panichi, a small entrepreneur, reportedly drove over 700 kilometers from the Varese area to his hometown of Avezzano in Abruzzo, where he surrendered to the Carabinieri.

During a two-and-a-half-hour interrogation, Panichi claimed the incident was a reaction to a dispute triggered by jealousy. His defense attorney, Leonardo Casciere, stated that Panichi alleged the victim attacked him first after discovering old photographs on his smartphone. The defense has requested house arrest with an electronic bracelet instead of prison, arguing there is no flight risk since the suspect turned himself in.