A 23-year-old woman in Sicily has confessed to murdering her four-year-old daughter, Elena Del Pozzo, after initially claiming the child was abducted by hooded men. The body was found in a field near Mascalucia, Catania province, on Tuesday.
Martina Patti told police on Monday that three masked men, one armed with a gun, snatched Elena from her car after nursery school. However, investigators quickly dismissed the kidnap story, citing the family's lack of wealth as unlikely for a ransom target.
During questioning, Patti admitted to the killing and led officers to the body, hidden under earth and volcanic ash from Mount Etna. Police say Elena was stabbed with a kitchen knife, which remains missing. Patti allegedly stated, 'I don’t remember what went through my mind when I stabbed my daughter.'
Prosecutors suggest jealousy may have been a motive, as Patti reportedly resented her ex-partner's new girlfriend showing affection towards Elena. Defence lawyer Gabriele Celesti described Patti as 'destroyed' and 'tried' during the interrogation.
Mayor Enzo Magra expressed shock, saying, 'Upon hearing the news, I burst into tears. It is a unique drama that we never wanted to hear.' Patti has been arrested on suspicion of murder and concealing a corpse.
