CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALY — A 46-year-old Bulgarian woman was brutally murdered in Civitavecchia on May 15, in what authorities are describing as a chilling act of domestic violence. Her partner, a 54-year-old Venezuelan man, turned himself in to local police shortly after the incident, confessing to the killing.
The crime occurred around 2:00 p.m., when the man walked into the Carabinieri headquarters and admitted to officers that he had killed the woman he lived with.
Upon receiving his confession, law enforcement officers rushed to Gorizia Street, where they found the woman’s lifeless body lying in a stairwell of the housing cooperative where the couple resided.
The victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to her abdomen, inflicted with a sharp object believed to be a kitchen knife. The building was immediately cordoned off, and forensic teams began examining the crime scene for clues. The weapon used in the attack was recovered and is currently being analyzed.
The suspect was taken into custody and is now being held on suspicion of murder. During preliminary questioning, he reportedly provided details of the killing, though the full content of his statement has not been released to the public.
Italian authorities have launched a thorough investigation to determine the motive behind the attack. Detectives are focusing on the nature of the couple’s relationship, looking into whether there was a documented history of domestic violence or any prior police reports.
Investigators are also examining the broader family and social context in hopes of uncovering possible underlying tensions.
“This is a deeply disturbing case,” a spokesperson for the Carabinieri said. “We are working to establish a clear timeline and motive. We also urge anyone who may have witnessed prior incidents of abuse or conflict to come forward.”
The murder has sent shockwaves through the community of Civitavecchia, a port city northwest of Rome. Neighbours and local residents expressed disbelief and sorrow upon hearing of the brutal killing.
“I saw them together sometimes, but they kept to themselves,” said one resident of the building. “I would have never imagined something so horrible could happen right here.”
The case has reignited national and regional debates on the issue of violence against women, a problem that remains a critical concern across Europe. Advocacy groups and human rights organizations quickly condemned the killing and called for stronger protection measures for women at risk.
“This is yet another tragic example of how domestic violence can end in irreversible tragedy,” said Maria Rossi, a spokesperson for the Italian women’s rights organization D.i.Re. “We must ensure better access to support services and create more awareness around early warning signs.”
The case was also reported by major outlets such as Italy’s Notizie.it and Bulgaria’s Telegraph, underlining the international attention the crime has garnered. As investigators continue to probe the details, the community mourns yet another life lost to gender-based violence.