The tragic story of Chiara Gualzetti, a bright young girl whose life was brutally cut short at the tender age of 15, continues to resonate deeply with the public, particularly through the heartfelt campaign of her father, Vincenzo Gualzetti. On June 27, 2021, Chiara left her house for what should have been a joyful outing but instead turned tragic when she never returned home, leading to the chilling discovery of her body the following day.
What should have been just another day took a horrifying turn. Chiara, known for her vibrance and kindness, went out to meet a boy she thought was her friend. On this fateful day, Vincenzo was working when he missed multiple frantic calls from his wife, Giusy, who reported their daughter’s alarming absence. Describing this heart-wrenching moment, Vincenzo said, "Il 27 giugno ero andato a lavoro anche se era una domenica. Non sentii le telefonate di mia moglie... Facemmo subito la denuncia e partimmo con le ricerche..." (translated: "On June 27, I went to work even though it was Sunday. I didn’t hear my wife’s calls... We immediately filed the report and started searching...").
After hours of desperate searching, the turmoil ended with the horrifying discovery of Chiara’s body, found in the nearby park of the Abbey of Monteveglio. It was reported she had been brutally attacked, suffering multiple stab wounds and severe physical assaults. The details of her death are not ones any parent should have to bear. She had been stabbed and then subjected to yet more violence: "È stata presa alle spalle, accoltellata e poi presa a calci" (She was attacked from behind, stabbed, and then kicked to death), Vincenzo recalled.
The perpetrator of this heinous act was revealed to be a peer known to Chiara, who later confessed to the crime. Despite the apparent premeditation—Vincenzo believes the boy was already intent on killing her—his sentencing came as another shock to the grieving father. The killer received only 16 years and four months, the maximum for minors under Italian law. This lenient sentence ignited furor among those seeking justice for Chiara. Vincenzo articulated his frustration over this ruling, stating, "Credo che l'abbia fatto semplicemente per sperimentare cosa significava ammazzare una persona..." (I believe he did it just to experiment what it meant to kill someone...).
With his daughter gone, Vincenzo's life transformed dramatically. His emotional turmoil was compounded by the death of Giusy, who succumbed to cancer the following year. Her passing added another layer of loss to his already shattered heart. Reflecting on his daughter's loss, he stated, "Non so se mi faccia più male non avere più una figlia o non avere un perché di non avere più una figlia" (I don’t know what hurts more, not having my daughter anymore or the lack of reason for it). This haunting questioning underlies his relentless pursuit of justice.
Vincenzo has emerged as a powerful advocate, using his trauma as fuel to fight against the inadequate legal consequences for juvenile offenders who commit heinous acts. His efforts also include the establishment of platforms aimed at raising awareness of femicide and advocating for amendments to current laws. He insists, "Loro meritano vita galera..." (They deserve life imprisonment...), highlighting his belief on the need for harsher penalties for those who irreparably alter lives.
His recent appearance on the popular Italian talk show, Verissimo, afforded him the opportunity to share his story with broader audiences. Discussing his mission, he expressed, "La mente umana non può accettarlo..." (The human mind cannot accept it...). Vincenzo's dynamism is inspiring; he yearns to instill real social values among youth, remedying what he perceives as the growing emotional detachment stemming from virtual interactions.
There’s additional motivation behind Vincenzo’s activism; he believes it’s part of honoring Chiara’s memory. He has created social media pages dedicated to remembering her and continues to share Chiara’s story, ensuring it is never forgotten. He poignantly stated, "Per lui provo rabbia..." (I feel anger for him...), invoking both the pain of loss and the indignation stemming from the minimization of his daughter’s murder.
The fight for justice and to reform the laws governing youth crime and sentencing remains at the forefront of Vincenzo’s life. While the grief he carries may be ever-present, so is his determination to change the narrative—one where victims like Chiara are remembered, and their families are not left powerless.
Vincenzo seeks to spark conversations about responsibility, empathy, and the need for stringent laws to prevent similar tragedies. He continues to believe there must be accountability for such senseless violence, reflecting on his mission as something bigger than himself: "Voglio insegnare ai giovani a socializzare" (I want to teach young people how to socialize). Through every advocacy effort, every discussion surrounding his daughter's tragedy, Vinzenzo exemplifies unyielding resilience, embodying the fight for justice and remembrance.
