In a tragic incident that has shocked the city of Messina, 22-year-old university student Sara Campanella was brutally murdered on March 31, 2025. Campanella, who was studying Biomedical Laboratory Techniques at the Policlinico, was fatally stabbed in the neck while leaving her classes, a horrific act that has reignited conversations about violence against women in Italy.
The stabbing occurred around 5:00 PM in viale Gazzi, right in front of the side entrance of the Giovanni Celeste stadium. Witnesses report that the attack was carried out by a peer, believed to be her ex-boyfriend, with whom she had recently ended a relationship. According to local reports, the confrontation escalated quickly into violence, resulting in Campanella sustaining a lethal wound that severed her jugular vein.
After the attack, fellow students who were nearby rushed to her aid, attempting to provide first aid and calling emergency services. Despite their efforts, the ambulance crew was unable to save her due to the severe blood loss she had suffered. Campanella was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspected killer, who fled the scene in a car. Witnesses described seeing the suspect follow Campanella before exiting his vehicle and attacking her on the sidewalk. In the aftermath, police have been combing through surveillance footage from the area and checking the victim's phone for any clues that might lead to the suspect's capture.
The murder has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their grief and outrage. Federico Basile, the mayor of Messina, stated, "I am at a loss for words. Today, Messina has been shaken by an immense tragedy: a young life, that of Sara Campanella, has been brutally cut short. The violence of this act leaves us incredulous and deeply saddened. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Sara's family and friends. In this unbearable moment of pain, know that the city of Messina stands with you. We condemn this act of violence with all our strength and trust that justice will take its course."
Giovanna Spatari, the rector of the University of Messina, also expressed profound sorrow over the incident, highlighting the impact of such violence on the academic community. "On behalf of the entire academic community, I express deep pain and dismay at the murder of Sara Campanella. The University of Messina stands close to her family, friends, and colleagues during this terrible time. The loss of a young life is always an immense tragedy, but when this life is taken so brutally, our suffering is even more acute," she said.
In a poignant reminder of the ongoing issue of gender-based violence, Spatari noted that just five years prior, the community mourned the murder of another student, Lorena Quaranta, who was killed by her boyfriend. "The University of Messina has multiplied efforts to spread a culture of respect, to contribute to stopping the plague of femicides, and to support our students. Today, we can only commit to continuing those efforts against all forms of violence and to ensure that Sara is properly remembered," she added.
As the search for the suspect continues, the streets of Messina are filled with sorrow and disbelief. Sara Campanella was not just a student; she was a vibrant young woman with dreams of becoming a nurse, a goal she was diligently pursuing through her studies and internship at the Policlinico. Friends and classmates have described her as bright and full of promise, someone who was well-liked and respected within her community.
The city has also seen an outpouring of support for Sara's family, who reside in Portella di Mare, a neighborhood in Misilmeri. Her mother, a nursery school teacher, and her family are now left to cope with the unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter. Mayor Rosario Rizzolo of Misilmeri expressed his condolences, emphasizing that the community is once again mourning a young victim of violence.
In the wake of this tragedy, many are calling for stronger measures to combat violence against women and to ensure that such senseless acts do not continue to plague society. The profound sadness felt by the community is palpable, as they grapple with the loss of a young life filled with potential and promise.
As authorities continue their investigation, the hope is that justice will be served, and that Sara Campanella's memory will serve as a catalyst for change in addressing the violence that women face every day.
