Amanda Knox has opened up about her complex relationship with the memory of her flatmate, Meredith Kercher, who tragically lost her life in 2007. Now 37, Knox reflects on how she feels the spirit of Kercher lingers in her life, emerging vividly as a presence she describes as "a ghost on my shoulder."
The haunting memories stem from Knox’s wrongful conviction in the murder of the 21-year-old British student, whose body was found brutally stabbed in their Perugia, Italy apartment they shared while studying abroad. Initially arrested and convicted at 20, Knox was embroiled in a legal nightmare that lasted nearly four years before being exonerated in 2015.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Knox shared, "Meredith is like this ghost sitting on my shoulder who fought for her life and didn’t succeed, who is telling me to fight for my life." She expressed an understanding that para-phrasing the experience could be misinterpreted as diminishing Kercher’s identity, stating, "I know that’s not what people like to hear. Some people think that her identity disappears next to my identity. And, again, I don’t blame people for having that idea. She became the footnote of a story where I was the central figure."
Knox also opened up on her treatment during her incarceration in her newly-released memoir, Free, which launched on March 18, 2025. Here, she details some deeply troubling experiences, including alleged sexual harassment by prison guards during her imprisonment. She recounted an instance where a guard propositioned her for sex, saying, "He interrogated me about my underwear, my sex life, and propositioned me for sex."
This torment followed her arrest on November 2, 2007, after Kercher was found dead in their shared apartment. The resulting investigation quickly focused on Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, due to a lack of solid evidence against them, resulting in a complex legal battle that led to their conviction twice for murder, only to be overturned due to insufficient evidence.
As she continued to fight for her innocence in the years following her release, Knox emphasized the importance of Kercher’s legacy in her current endeavors. "For that reason, I’ve described it as feeling haunted by Meredith, but not in that bad way that people sort of project on to me. More in this benevolent spirit who is reminding me of the value of life, the privilege it is to live and the privilege it is to fight for your life. Because she fought for hers," Knox shared with People magazine.
The case not only affected Knox physically but also placed an incredible strain on her mental health. She described unprecedented challenges faced during her wrongful imprisonment and how it fueled her passion for advocating against miscarriages of justice.
Upon her exoneration, Knox returned to the United States, where she has since transformed her life into that of an advocate. She presents a successful podcast called Labyrinths, works as a TV producer, and raises her two children with her husband, Christopher Robinson, a writer. Knox has made it her mission to illuminate the dark shadows hanging over others wrongly accused.
Knox's disappointing past isn’t just limited to her wrongful conviction; she also faced backlash for speaking out against her treatment during incarceration. Recently, in January 2025, Italy’s highest court confirmed a slander conviction against her stemming from her accusations against Rudy Guede, an innocent man wrongly linked to her case.
Despite the blemish on her record, Knox's resilience is undeniable. "For me, it's about finding strength in vulnerability, and using that as a tool to help others," she expressed.
As Knox continues to navigate her life, she acknowledges the burden of her past will always be present. In contrast, she strives to ensure the memory of Meredith remains fiercely alive in all the advocacy work she champions. Her story remains emblematic of deeper issues related to the criminal justice system, shedding light on necessary reforms while honoring the spirit of her fallen friend.
The journey of healing for Knox is both personal and public, as she fervently shares insights from her memoir and her personal experiences through various platforms. She encourages communities to realize the essential nature of giving voice to the voiceless, enabling individuals to stand up against injustice and find hope amidst despair.
In a world where truth often gets mired in legal complexities, Amanda Knox serves as a haunting testament to the resilience of the human spirit, stressing the importance of pursuing justice not only for herself but also for Meredith. Knox’s life, intertwined with the legacy of her former flatmate, reflects a continuous fight for recognition and understanding, a mission inspired by the ghost that refuses to leave her side.
