Giovanni Padovani, a 28-year-old former professional footballer,is living his life in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Alessandra Matteuzzi.
The tragic incident occurred outside Matteuzzi’s home in Bologna on August 23, 2022, as she was on the phone with her sister, Stefania, when the attack unfolded.
Padovani, a former centre-back for Sancataldese, had faced stalking allegations from Matteuzzi in the weeks leading up to the murder. Reports indicate that he waited outside her residence, ambushing her in a premeditated act of violence.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Alessandra screamed for help, pleading with him to stop as the attack escalated with a hammer, fists, and even a baseball bat, leading to her untimely death in the hospital from severe injuries.
Eyewitnesses and local residents spoke of Matteuzzi’s fear of Padovani, detailing his persistent harassment, including attempts to disable her car and sabotage her personal safety.
Despite her reports to the police regarding the stalking, legal measures taken were insufficient to prevent the tragedy.
Judge Domenico Pasquariello acknowledged the aggravating factors of Padovani’s stalking behavior and the calculated nature of the murder during sentencing, which was swift, taking just two hours.
In his defense, Padovani claimed to be in an altered state of mind, expressing remorse but failing to exonerate himself from his actions.
The case has stirred outrage and highlighted concerns over the effectiveness of legal protections for women in Italy. The Bologna prosecutor, Giuseppe Amato, faced scrutiny over the police response to Matteuzzi’s stalking complaint, emphasizing the pressing need for systemic changes to protect vulnerable individuals.
