Messina – The alleged murderer of Sara Campanella, the young university student stabbed to death in the street in Messina, has a name. MessinaThis is Stefano Argentino, 27 years old, also a student at the same faculty as the victim.
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The Carabinieri stopped him during the night, following a lightning investigation that led to his identification in Noto (Syracuse), thanks to the support of the Provincial Command of Syracuse.
According to initial reconstructions, the young man followed the victim near the Policlinico, and then struck her with a cutting weapon after an argument. The crime took place in front of numerous witnesses, who immediately raised the alarm.
(h3)A history of harassment and obsessive attention
Investigators found that Argentino had been displaying harassing and insistent behavior toward Sara for two years. The young woman had confided in friends and colleagues about her discomfort with this unwanted attention, so much so that she called him a “sick man who follows me” in a voice message sent shortly before the murder.
Messina's chief prosecutor, Antonio D'Amato, confirmed that the suspect had carried out a real persecution, repeatedly trying to convince the girl to go out with him, despite her constant refusals. However, Sara had never filed a complaint, a detail that investigators are investigating further.
The investigations: witnesses and cameras decisive
Argentino was incriminated by images from surveillance cameras along Via Gazzi, where the crime took place, and by testimonies from those who witnessed the scene. Some passers-by even tried to stop the killer during his escape.
“Enough, leave me!” Sara reportedly shouted before being fatally shot, according to witnesses. One of them even tried to chase the killer, who, however, managed to temporarily disappear.
The arrest warrant was executed during the night and is based on solid circumstantial evidence, as underlined by the investigators. Now Argentino is awaiting a validation hearing, while the young woman's body is available to the Judicial Authority for further investigations.
Yet another femicide that shakes Italy
The murder of Sara Campanella brings to mind the case of Lorena Quaranta, the medical student strangled by her boyfriend in Messina in 2020. Once again, a young woman was killed by someone who wouldn't take no for an answer.
The academic community and institutions are in shock. “An immense tragedy,” commented the mayor of Messina, Federico Basile, while the rector of the university, Giovanna Spatari, expressed condolences to Sara's family and colleagues.
Yet another victim of violence that won't accept a 'no'.
Article published on 1 April 2025 - 14:49
This article is very sad and makes you think about how certain behaviors can lead to such serious consequences. I hope that there is justice for Sara, but also that more is done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.