Elena Del Pozzo’s body was found in a field near her home in Mascalucia, a town in the province of Catania, on Tuesday. A day earlier, Martina Patti, 23, had told police that three hooded men, one armed with a gun, opened the door of her car and grabbed the child after picking him up from kindergarten. Police quickly ruled out organized crime and did not believe the child had been abducted for ransom, as they did not consider the family affluent enough to become a target for blackmail. Patti confessed to the murder during interrogation and led police to the body, which was hidden under the ground and volcanic ash from Mount Etna. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder and concealment of a corpse. Police said during a press conference that Elena was killed with a kitchen knife, which has not yet been found. They described “a horrible crime committed in a lonely way” by someone who “did not know why” had done it. Patti allegedly said during the interrogation: “I do not remember what went through my mind when I was stabbed by my daughter.” According to information, he had separated from Elena’s father for some time. Citing a note from the Catania prosecutor, Rai News reported that Patti may have been driven by jealousy towards her ex-boyfriend’s current girlfriend, whom she could not tolerate “showing affection for her daughter”. The prosecutor said there were “various inconsistencies” in the kidnapping allegations during a “lengthy interrogation” before Patti confessed. Defense attorney Gabriele Celesti told Rai: “It was a dramatic interrogation of a broken and tried woman who did something she did not even think she could do.” Enzo Magra, mayor of Mascalucia, said: “I’m shocked. Upon hearing the news I burst into tears. It’s a unique drama that we never wanted to hear. “
