A woman, Jessica Stappazzollo Custodio de Lima, aged 33, was fatally stabbed by her former partner in Castelnuovo del Garda, Italy. The tragic incident occurred between October 27 and October 28, where Jessica sustained 27 stab wounds, leading to her death from haemorrhagic shock caused by heart injuries. The perpetrator, Douglas Reis Pedroso, admitted to the crime during police interrogation, resulting in his arrest and pre-trial detention.
Reis Pedroso, a 41-year-old Brazilian national, removed the ankle monitor meant to keep him away from Jessica, despite facing previous charges of mistreatment and physical violence against her. The system’s failure to alert authorities when the monitor was tampered with has raised concerns about its effectiveness, especially in cases of high risk. Notably, Pedroso had a history of violent behavior towards Jessica, with incidents dating back to August 2024.
Reports revealed that on the night of the incident, Pedroso contacted the Carabinieri, expressing suicidal intentions. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered Jessica’s lifeless body in his residence, with the murder weapon recovered from his vehicle. Additionally, substances like cocaine and alcohol were found at the scene, indicating Pedroso’s involvement in substance abuse.
Following his arrest, Pedroso confessed to killing Jessica but claimed to be under the influence of drugs, leading to memory loss regarding the events. Jessica’s family, particularly her sister Laiza Stappazzollo, criticized the authorities for not taking action earlier despite multiple reports of abuse. Laiza mentioned that Jessica had reported the abuse but withdrew the complaints due to threats from the perpetrator.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage in the community, prompting discussions on enhancing laws to protect victims of domestic violence. Ciro Maschio, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies’ Justice Committee, highlighted ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen protections for victims and prevent such heinous crimes in the future.