Pietracatella ricin murders reveal alleged expert poisoner

In the town of Pietracatella, Italy, mother Antonella Di Ielsi (50) and her 15‑year‑old daughter Sara Di Vita died after being poisoned with ricin in late December. Their lawyer, Domenico Fiorda, says the toxin was not a simple extraction but a “processed” form, indicating the murderer acted with scientific knowledge. According to the victims' family, an aunt administered an injection to both women on Christmas Eve, but the treatment failed and the victims were taken to hospital, where they later died.

The case is being investigated as a double homicide by prosecutor Elvira Antonelli. Police have collected about 70 food items for toxicological analysis by the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, hoping to pinpoint the source of the ricin. The investigation continues amid speculation that the killer deliberately used a rare poison to delay detection.