Modena authorities re-examine cold case murders of eight women

Authorities in Modena are revisiting a series of unsolved murders that occurred between 1985 and 1995. During that decade, at least eight women—often described as sex workers or individuals struggling with drug addiction—were killed in various ways, including strangulation, stabbing, and blunt force trauma.

While contemporary media dubbed the perpetrator the ‘Modena monster,’ suggesting a single serial killer, legal experts and forensic specialists have historically questioned this link. Attorney Barbara Iannuccelli, representing the families of several victims including Anna Maria Palermo, has filed formal requests for a review of the cases.

At the request of the prosecution, investigators have begun reviewing old case files and examining physical evidence preserved at the Institute of Legal Medicine. While the investigation has not been officially reopened, officials are currently evaluating which materials are suitable for forensic re-examination to determine if the deaths were connected or committed by a single individual.