The Pagnozzi–De Matteo family is speaking out publicly following the death of Rita De Matteo, wife of Gennaro Pagnozzi and mother of Domenico and Paolo Pagnozzi, on January 26, 2026. At the heart of the protest is the order by the Avellino Police Chief prohibiting "public and solemn" funerals.
In a statement sent to the press, the family maintains that the woman "lived a life devoted to duty and the law" and has no criminal record. The ban, it states, caused "extreme pain," given the deceased's strong religious beliefs and the impact it had on her grandchildren.
The reasons given by the Police Headquarters
According to the family, the order raises the risk that the funeral could become an opportunity for "retaliatory actions" or "intimidating initiatives" and, along the way or upon arrival at the church, for "sensational" demonstrations deemed likely to "glorify the clan," with potential repercussions on public order and safety.
“Factual error and non-present risk”
The statement challenges the legitimacy of the act on several grounds. Specifically, the family members cite an alleged "error in the facts," claiming that the deceased had been attributed a "non-existent" criminal record despite her having a clean criminal record.
The family also adds that there is no current danger, as the individuals mentioned are: Gennaro Pagnozzi, deceased, and Domenico and Paolo Pagnozzi, detained (with Domenico also subject to the 41-bis regime). The same statement states that the two sons have waived any requests for permission or authorization to attend the funeral, "to clear up any doubts" about the risk to public order.
Comparison with the 2016 funerals
Another point of the dispute is the alleged unequal treatment compared to the funeral of Gennaro Pagnozzi in 2016. According to the family, a public and solemn funeral would have been permitted at that time, despite the man being considered a "clan leader" and being under house arrest with an electronic bracelet at the time of his death.
The family also claims that, in that circumstance, there were no incidents of "exaltation" or disturbances of public order, and that therefore the ban on a person described as having no connection to criminal activity is incomprehensible.
"Guarded cemetery" and criticism of the clan's quotes
The note also recalls what happened at the San Martino Valle Caudina cemetery on the morning of January 28, 2026: the family speaks of approximately 40 members of the police force present on site and of a farewell prevented "in a dignified manner."
In the final section, the family maintains that the "Pagnozzi clan" no longer exists and that the new generations have chosen paths far removed from crime. They also dispute the continued mention of the clan in reports and investigative activities, linking it to "new criminal dynamics."
Legal action announced
The family reports that they have instructed lawyer Vittorio Fucci to evaluate "the most appropriate action," both legally and to represent the matter to the President of the Republic and the Parliamentary Anti-Mafia Commission.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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