Italian footballer and model, Giovanni Padovani, 28, jailed for life

An Italian footballer has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, just weeks after she reported him for harassment.

Giovanni Padovani, a 28-year-old former center back who played for Sancataldese, was convicted today for the killing of Alessandra Matteuzzi, 56, outside her home on August 23, 2022, in Bologna, northern Italy.

Alessandra was conversing with her sister Stefania on the phone when Padovani, also a former model, launched a horrific assault. He used a hammer, his fists, a baseball bat, and a garden bench in the attack, which Stefania heard in horror.

Padovani had flown to Bologna, defying instructions from his team to avoid a training session and lay in wait outside Alessandra's residence. He ambushed her and unleashed a vicious assault.

Stefania recounted the chilling moments, stating, "She was very afraid of him because he had become persistent and didn’t want to let him into the house."

Despite surviving the initial onslaught, Alessandra succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.

The couple had been together for about a year, primarily living apart as Alessandra resided in Bologna while Padovani worked in Sicily. Reports indicate a history of domestic strife, including a violent altercation in January 2022.

Following their breakup, Padovani inundated Alessandra with calls and messages, prompting her to report him for harassment. However, his obsessive behavior persisted, escalating to sabotage attempts and intrusions into her home.

The judge of the Bologna court, Domenico Pasquariello, swiftly delivered a life sentence, citing Padovani's predatory conduct and the premeditated nature of the attack as aggravating factors.

During the trial, Padovani attempted to mitigate his culpability by suggesting a diminished mental state. He stated, "If I were completely lucid and capable, I deserve a life sentence." However, the judge dismissed this defense, emphasizing that a healthy individual does not commit such heinous acts.

The murder case ignited national outrage, highlighting systemic failures in protecting women from abusive partners. Bologna’s chief prosecutor, Giuseppe Amato, defended the investigation, clarifying that while Alessandra's harassment complaint was taken seriously, logistical challenges hindered timely action.

The tragic loss of Alessandra resonated deeply, with Stefania expressing her grief and frustration, declaring, "Alessandra is no longer here, my sister is no longer here." The case serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to address domestic violence and ensure robust measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals.