1. Tristan Jeong & Becky Song Tristan Jeong and Becky Song

2. CASE BACKGROUND This unsolved case began in August 1968, when Barbara Locci was found murdered with her lover in a cemetery. The murders that occurred from 1968 to 1985 had a pattern; the unknown serial killer specifically targeted couples. The serial killer killed 16 people in total. All the murders occurred in the province of Florence, Italy, hence giving the killer the epithet of Monster of Florence. In 2008, Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi, the authors of the The Monster of Florence, accused Antonio Vinci as the real killer; Antonio Vinci denied the accusation in a Dateline NBC interview. This unsolved case began in August 1968, when Barbara Locci was found murdered with her lover in a cemetery. The murders that occurred from 1968 to 1985 had a pattern; the unknown serial killer specifically targeted couples. The serial killer killed 16 people in total. All the murders occurred in the province of Florence, Italy, hence giving the killer the epithet of Monster of Florence. In 2008, Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi, the authors of the The Monster of Florence, accused Antonio Vinci as the real killer; Antonio Vinci denied the accusation in a Dateline NBC interview.

3. MAJOR PLAYERS Chief Inspector Maurizio Cimmino, head of the Florentine police’s mobile squad. Chief Inspector Maurizio Cimmino, head of the Florentine police’s mobile squad. Chief Inspector Sandro Federico, police homicide detective. Chief Inspector Sandro Federico, police homicide detective. Stefano Mele, Pietro Pacciani, Mario Vanni and Giancarlo Lotti, four falsely accused, arrested and convicted suspects Stefano Mele, Pietro Pacciani, Mario Vanni and Giancarlo Lotti, four falsely accused, arrested and convicted suspects Barbara Locci, first victim; wife of Stefano Mele, murdered with her lover Barbara Locci, first victim; wife of Stefano Mele, murdered with her lover Antonio Vinci, accused as killer in 2008- denied the accusation Antonio Vinci, accused as killer in 2008- denied the accusation

4. WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY Who- Unknown Who- Unknown What- 16 murders; targeted couples specifically What- 16 murders; targeted couples specifically When- From 1968 to 1985 When- From 1968 to 1985 Where- The province of Florence, Italy Where- The province of Florence, Italy Why- Motive unknown Why- Motive unknown Florence, Italy

5. CRIME The serial killer killed 16 people, with the same pattern. The killer shot the couple to death in very quiet, solitary places such as country lanes or parks. After shooting the couples to death, the killer stabbed them and cut out the females’ pubic area. Ethnicities of victims were mostly Italian, but there were two German victims, Horst Wilhelm Meyer and Jens Uwe Rüsch. The killer made the victims feel weird sensation, thus terrifying the victims before the actual murders. The serial killer killed 16 people, with the same pattern. The killer shot the couple to death in very quiet, solitary places such as country lanes or parks. After shooting the couples to death, the killer stabbed them and cut out the females’ pubic area. Ethnicities of victims were mostly Italian, but there were two German victims, Horst Wilhelm Meyer and Jens Uwe Rüsch. The killer made the victims feel weird sensation, thus terrifying the victims before the actual murders. Stefania Pettini crime scene Foggi crime scene

6. SUSPECTS There were many suspects There were many suspects The most important four: The most important four: Stefano Mele- immigrant from Sardinia, who confessed to murdering his wife and her lover on August 21, 1968 Stefano Mele- immigrant from Sardinia, who confessed to murdering his wife and her lover on August 21, 1968 Pietro Pacciani- Tuscan farmer who was convicted of being the Monster, acquitted on appeal, and then ordered to restand trial. He was the alleged leader of the so-called compagni di merende, the “picnicking friends.” Pietro Pacciani- Tuscan farmer who was convicted of being the Monster, acquitted on appeal, and then ordered to restand trial. He was the alleged leader of the so-called compagni di merende, the “picnicking friends.” Mario Vanni- nicknamed il Torsolo (Apple Core), the former postman of San Casciano, convicted of being Pacciani’s accomplice in the Monster killings. Mario Vanni- nicknamed il Torsolo (Apple Core), the former postman of San Casciano, convicted of being Pacciani’s accomplice in the Monster killings. Giancarlo Lotti- aka Beta; falsely confessed having helped Pacciani with several of the Monster’s killings. Giancarlo Lotti- aka Beta; falsely confessed having helped Pacciani with several of the Monster’s killings. Stefano MelePolice Sketch of Monster of Florence

7. EVIDENCE TRAIL/ PROGRESSION All of the 16 murders had same pattern All of the 16 murders had same pattern Shot to death Shot to death Gun-.22 Berettas Gun-.22 Berettas Stabbed Stabbed Female’s pubic area cut out Female’s pubic area cut out.22 Beretta

8. TRIAL The four primary suspects, Stefano Mele, Pietro Pacciani, Giancarlo Lotti and Mario Vanni had to go through trial The four primary suspects, Stefano Mele, Pietro Pacciani, Giancarlo Lotti and Mario Vanni had to go through trial Pacciani’s trial- November 1 st, 1994 Pacciani’s trial- November 1 st, 1994 Lotti and Vanni’s trial (as accomplices of Pacciani)- May 21 st, 1997 Lotti and Vanni’s trial (as accomplices of Pacciani)- May 21 st, 1997 Pietro Pacciani on trial Pietro Pacciani in court just prior to his release

9. VERDICT/ SENTENCE All declared guilty All declared guilty All four convicted All four convicted Stefano Mele- 14 years Stefano Mele- 14 years Pietro Pacciani- Life sentence Pietro Pacciani- Life sentence Mario Vanni- Life sentence Mario Vanni- Life sentence Giancarlo Lotti- 26 years Giancarlo Lotti- 26 years

10. UNANSWERED QUESTIONS The real perpetrator is still unknown The real perpetrator is still unknown Many accusations and suspects, but they led the case to nowhere Many accusations and suspects, but they led the case to nowhere The motive of murders is still unknown The motive of murders is still unknown

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY "Monster of Florence." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Sept. 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Preston, Douglas. "Monster Of Florence: A True Story by Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi » Timeline." Monster Of Florence A True Story by Douglas Preston Mario Spezi RSS. Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. "The Monster of Florence." — The Mystery Begins — Crime Library on TruTV.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.