Bottanuco
The life of Vincenzo Verzeni: a difficult childhood marked by violence
Vincenzo Verzeni was born in 1849 in Bottanuco, in a family of farmers. His childhood was difficult due to his family's disadvantaged economic conditions: his father was a violent alcoholic and his mother suffered from epilepsy. At only 18 years old, Verzeni showed the first signs of aggression when he violently attacked his cousin Marianna in her sleep, trying to bite her neck. Verzeni fled in fear from the girl's screams, who did not report the assault. In another episode, the man attacked Margherita Esposito and was identified by the police. Despite this, he suffered no criminal consequences.
Verzeni's series of murders
In 1870, Verzeni committed his first murder by killing fourteen-year-old Giovanna Motta: her mutilated body was found with signs of bites on the neck and genital organs removed. Verzeni was only identified as the culprit after his capture, which occurred three years later in 1873. During this period, he committed two other murders: one in 1871 and one in 1872, both with the same methods as Giovanna Motta's.
Verzeni is arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment
After his capture, Verzeni was found guilty of his crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment in the criminal asylum of Pia casa della Senavra in Milan and to life hard labor. Cesare Lombroso, appointed to carry out the psychiatric assessment, defined him as "a sexual sadist, a vampire, a devourer of human flesh" and stated that he suffered from a severe form of necrophilia, as well as advanced cretinism and pellagra. However, Verzeni escaped the death penalty thanks to the vote of a juror.
Sciascia's story and Verzeni's death
The case of Verzeni was told by writer Leonardo Sciascia in his book "The Wine Dark Sea," with the story "Trial for Violence." The date of Verzeni's death has been the subject of debate for a long time and is still unknown today.
In conclusion, the life of Vincenzo Verzeni was characterized by violence and sexual deviancy. Despite the horror of his crimes, his case has generated interest and curiosity from many people, and his name has become famous as one of the most ruthless Italian serial killers.
