Rome authorities arrest seven in Diabolik murder investigation

Seven people have been arrested in Rome as part of an investigation into the 2019 murder of Fabrizio Piscitelli, known as ‘Diabolik’. Piscitelli, a prominent figure in the Lazio Irriducibili and a major player in Rome's drug trafficking scene, was shot dead on August 7, 2019, at the Parco degli Acquedotti.

Prosecutors have identified Michele Senese, a historic crime boss, as the ‘apical mastermind’ behind the killing. Investigators believe Senese’s prior approval was essential to the execution of the crime. The murder is believed to be the result of complex criminal interests involving drug trafficking, old debts, and shifting power dynamics within Rome's underworld.

While Raul Esteban Calderon was previously identified as a potential shooter, he was acquitted by the Rome Court of Appeal in July 2026. The current investigation focuses on the planning and orchestration of the hit, targeting those who decided on Piscitelli's elimination during a period of intense competition for control of the city's drug markets.