On April 22, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Santa Maria a Monte, Pisa, where Benedetto Ceraulo, a notorious figure in Italian criminal history, shot his son Gaetano during a family argument before turning the gun on himself in a desperate act of suicide. The confrontation, which escalated into violence, left both father and son hospitalized, with Ceraulo in critical condition.
Ceraulo, now 63 years old, is infamously known as the hitman who executed the murder of Maurizio Gucci in 1995, a crime commissioned by Gucci's ex-wife, Patrizia Reggiani. After serving 28 years in prison for that high-profile murder, he was released two years ago and had been attempting to rebuild his life.
The events leading to the shooting occurred in the morning at Ceraulo's rented country house, where he had been living alone. His son, Gaetano, 37, had come to visit for the Easter holidays. According to reports, the argument escalated quickly, resulting in Ceraulo shooting Gaetano in the face with a small-caliber pistol.
Despite his injury, Gaetano managed to escape in his car, driving approximately 300 meters to a nearby bar where he called for help. Meanwhile, Ceraulo, left alone in the house, attempted to take his own life with the same firearm. Emergency services rushed to the scene, transporting both individuals to nearby hospitals. Ceraulo was admitted to Cisanello Hospital in Pisa, while Gaetano was taken to Lotti Hospital in Pontedera. Fortunately, Gaetano's injuries, though serious, were not life-threatening, and he is expected to undergo surgery.
The motive for the dispute remains unclear, and investigators from the Carabinieri are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. There were no witnesses to the argument, raising questions about what could have prompted such a violent confrontation.
Benedetto Ceraulo's past is marked by infamy. At the age of 35, he was convicted for his role in the assassination of Maurizio Gucci, a high-profile fashion entrepreneur. Gucci was shot four times in Milan on March 27, 1995, in a murder orchestrated by a group of individuals, including Ceraulo, who was considered the material executor of the crime. Patrizia Reggiani, who was found to have commissioned the murder due to jealousy over Gucci's new relationship, received a lengthy prison sentence for her role.
The crime was shocking not only for its brutality but also for the high-profile figures involved. Ceraulo and his accomplices, including Orazio Cicala and Ivano Savioni, were sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the murder. However, over time, Ceraulo's sentence was reduced to 28 years, 11 months, and 20 days after appeals, and he was ultimately released in 2023.
After his release, Ceraulo attempted to turn his life around, developing a passion for viticulture during his time in prison. He had participated in a reintegration project on the island of Gorgona, where he worked on a vineyard project aimed at helping inmates learn new skills. He expressed optimism about his new life, stating, "You live well here. You are free. You have the opportunity to learn; I feel lucky. Being locked in a cell, deprived of privacy, makes a person worse." This effort at rehabilitation seemed to signal a desire to leave his violent past behind.
However, the recent shooting incident has cast a shadow over these attempts at reinvention. It raises questions about the stability of Ceraulo's mental state and the lingering effects of his past, both on him and his family. Patrizia Gucci, a relative of Maurizio Gucci, has long sought to distance herself from the notorious legacy of the Gucci murder, emphasizing that her family has endured significant stigma due to the actions of Reggiani and Ceraulo.
In an interview, Patrizia Gucci lamented, "We have received nothing but mud from this story and continue to receive it." This sentiment reflects the broader impact of the Gucci murder on the lives of those associated with the Gucci family, highlighting how the past can haunt individuals long after the events have transpired.
The fallout from Ceraulo's actions may extend beyond the immediate tragedy. As investigations continue, the public and media will undoubtedly scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the incident, examining the complexities of familial relationships and the potential for violence lurking beneath the surface.
As both father and son recover from their injuries, many are left to ponder the implications of this disturbing event. It serves as a stark reminder of how unresolved issues and past traumas can resurface in devastating ways, affecting not only those directly involved but also the wider community.
This incident not only reopens old wounds related to the Gucci murder but also raises critical questions about mental health, familial dynamics, and the long shadows cast by a violent past. The story of Benedetto Ceraulo is far from over, as both he and his son face an uncertain future, marked by the violent legacy of their family history.
