On April 18, 2011, Melania Rea, a 28-year-old from Somma Vesuviana, was brutally murdered by her husband, Salvatore Parolisi, in Civitella del Tronto, Abruzzo. The couple had taken their 18-month-old daughter on a trip, but Melania never returned home. As the anniversary of her death approaches, the pain remains fresh for her family, particularly for her father, Gennaro Rea, who expressed his deep anger and frustration over the case.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Gennaro Rea shared his thoughts about the impending release of Parolisi, who is set to be freed in two years after serving 14 years of a 20-year sentence. "I feel a rage that drives me crazy when I think that in two years that filthy being will be out of prison and can start a new life, while my daughter is gone forever," he lamented.
Melania Rea was killed with 35 stab wounds, a crime that shocked the nation and highlighted the issue of femicide in Italy. Gennaro Rea criticized the justice system, stating that in the past 14 years, nothing has changed regarding the treatment of such heinous crimes. "Every day I read about women killed by men and think it happens because there is no certainty of punishment. Those who deserve life sentences often get out of prison after a few years for good behavior. What good behavior can justify the murder of a woman like Parolisi did, killing her in front of their infant daughter?" he questioned.
Gennaro's anger is compounded by the fact that Parolisi has never expressed remorse. "He has never written a letter to ask for forgiveness or inquired about his daughter. What kind of father is he who doesn't even have the curiosity to know how his child is? He will never find doors open to forgiveness here," he asserted.
The pain of Melania's death is not just a personal tragedy but a reflection of a broader societal issue. Gennaro stated, "The death of my daughter has not served as a lesson. We continue to see women being murdered, and justice remains blind. When I see politicians visiting these murderers in prison, I want to ask them: who thinks about us, the victims' families? We feel abandoned by the institutions."
As the anniversary of Melania's murder approaches, Gennaro Rea is reminded of his granddaughter, Vittoria, who was just 18 months old at the time of the tragedy. Now 15, Vittoria has grown up with her maternal grandparents, having changed her last name to distance herself from her father. Gennaro described her as a beautiful and wise girl, much like her mother. "I look at her and see my daughter in her," he said.
Vittoria has expressed that her father is a stranger to her. "For me, he is a stranger; his name does not affect me at all," she told her grandparents. Gennaro emphasized that if Parolisi attempts to reconnect with Vittoria upon his release, he will not be welcomed. "He has no right to call himself a father," he stated firmly.
In addition to his emotional turmoil, Gennaro Rea is also focused on the legal ramifications of Parolisi's release. The court ruling mandates that Parolisi owes one million euros in compensation to the Rea family and another million to his daughter. Gennaro vowed that their lawyers would keep a close watch on Parolisi to ensure he fulfills this obligation. "He will have to work hard; we won’t make any concessions. The life he shattered cannot be forgotten," he declared.
The case of Melania Rea remains a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against femicide in Italy. Gennaro's story is not just about one family's tragedy; it reflects a societal failure to protect women and ensure justice. As he continues to fight for his daughter's memory, he hopes that one day, the system will change and that no other family will have to endure such heartache.
As Gennaro Rea reflects on the years since his daughter's murder, the pain is still palpable. Each anniversary serves as a painful reminder of the loss and the need for change in how society addresses violence against women. "I want more action and less talk. What kind of image of justice will my granddaughter have?" he asked, highlighting the need for a more effective response to such crimes.
In the face of ongoing violence against women, Gennaro Rea's voice stands as a powerful call for justice and accountability. His unwavering commitment to his daughter's memory serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing the issues surrounding femicide and ensuring that victims and their families receive the support they need.
