Pietracatella mother and daughter die from ricin poisoning as investigation widens

Antonella Di Ielsi and her 10‑year‑old daughter Sara Di Vita were found dead in Pietracatella, Italy, after ingesting ricin. Autopsy results confirmed acute ricin intoxication.

Italian prosecutors have identified three suspects – two women and a man – and are pursuing new leads, including alleged foreign travel by acquaintances, a post‑funeral gathering, and possible extraction of ricin from locally grown castor plants. All biological, clothing and food evidence has been dispatched to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin for detailed analysis.

The prosecutor, Elvira Antonelli, has postponed the filing of the final forensic report pending the complete, signed version from the technical commission, ensuring that defense and victims’ representatives can review the full scientific findings.