Strangulation identified as factor in recent Italian homicide investigations

Investigations into recent violent deaths in Italy have highlighted the critical role of strangulation as a predictor of lethal gender-based violence.

In Messina, authorities have identified a 44-year-old Tunisian man as the suspect in the death of 40-year-old Melissa Echevarria. Echevarria was found dead in a courtyard on August 14. While initial autopsy results did not indicate a violent death due to the advanced state of decomposition, subsequent investigations by the Mobile Squad suggest she was strangled following an argument. The suspect, who has a criminal history involving domestic abuse, reportedly confessed to the killing.

In the province of Venice, an autopsy confirmed that Tania Terrin was killed by her former partner, Dino Keber, via manual strangulation on August 15. This follows a previous incident in April where Terrin survived a strangulation attempt that caused her to lose consciousness. The case has raised concerns regarding the adequacy of institutional risk assessments in Italy, as non-fatal strangulation is recognized internationally as a major red flag for future femicide, yet is often undervalued or not legally recognized as a distinct crime in the Italian system.