Rape in Castellammare: Victim Played Death to Save Herself

Castellammare di Stabia – She pretended to be dead to save herself after trying to escape. The tragic stages of the kidnapping and rape of a 22-year-old woman are described in the 20-page pre-trial detention order issued by investigating judge Mariaconcetta Criscuolo against 26-year-old Romolo Russo.

"Don't you see where you are? This is no place to bring girls, I'll kill you tonight!" This was one of the many threats the 26-year-old made to the victim, a native of Sant'Antonio Abate whom he met online, before forcing her, according to the prosecution, to endure physical and sexual abuse inside a cellar on Corso De Gasperi, in Castellammare di Stabia.

According to investigators, the victim was stripped, beaten, immobilized, and forced to undergo repeated sexual acts against her will.

 The girl was forced to undergo sexual acts against her will

The investigating judge describes what happened in the cellar of the Castellammare building during the kidnapping: "In an attempt to protect herself, the girl attempted to scratch her attacker and bit his finger." But the 26-year-old continued his torture undeterred: "At a certain point, the 26-year-old grabbed a bottle and poured water into the mouth of the victim, who was lying on the floor, causing her to feel suffocated," the warrant states.

He then pinned the woman's head between his legs, demanding that she make choking noises, and pushed her onto the ground again, placing two-meter-long wooden beams on her chest while ordering her to play dead. Finally, during the encounter, Russo repeatedly kicked the victim's arms and legs and inserted his fingers into her throat to pry her mouth open.