Husband Charged with Femicide in Federica Torzullo Case, Marking Legal Precedent in Italy

Femicide Charge Filed in Torzullo Murder Investigation

Claudio Carlomagno, the husband of Federica Torzullo, has been charged with the recently established crime of femicide in Italy, marking a notable application of the new legislation. The charge follows the discovery of Torzullo's body, a 41-year-old postal worker, buried on land adjacent to her husband's earthmoving company in Anguillara Sabazia, a town near Rome.

Gruesome Discovery and Autopsy Findings

Federica Torzullo was reported missing on January 8th. Her body was located on January 19th, after a 10-day search. The subsequent forensic examination revealed the extreme brutality of the crime. Autopsy results indicated that Torzullo sustained 23 stab wounds, with four defensive wounds found on her hands, suggesting she fought for her life. The fatal injuries were primarily to her face and neck.

Investigators further allege that after the killing, Carlomagno attempted to mutilate and burn the body using an excavator, and then buried it two meters underground, reportedly to prevent identification. The body showed severe burns and an amputated leg. Carlomagno, 45, was initially investigated for voluntary manslaughter and later arrested on charges of aggravated murder and concealing a dead body before the femicide charge was added by the public prosecutor's office in Civitavecchia.

Italy's New Femicide Law

The application of the femicide charge in the Torzullo case highlights Italy's recent legislative efforts to combat gender-based violence. The Italian Parliament unanimously approved Law No. 181/2025, creating the autonomous crime of 'femminicidio' (femicide), on November 25, 2025, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The law was published on December 2, 2025.

This new legislation defines femicide as 'the intentional, gender-motivated killing of a woman' and makes it a distinct crime punishable by life imprisonment. The move was a direct response to growing national concern over gender-based violence and a series of high-profile cases, including that of Giulia Cecchettin, which galvanized political momentum for the reform. With this reform, Italy joins a limited number of European countries, such as Croatia, Cyprus, and Malta, in recognizing femicide as a specific criminal offense.