Stefano Argentino, the 22-year-old man accused of murdering Sara Campanella earlier this year, has died by suicide while in custody at a prison in Messina, Italy. Authorities confirmed that he was found dead around 5:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
Argentino had been under high surveillance after showing suicidal tendencies, a precaution taken due to concerns about his mental state following his arrest. However, in recent weeks, he had resumed eating and was moved back into a shared cell with two other inmates. Despite these signs of stabilization, tragedy struck when he left his cellmates briefly and was later found lifeless by prison officers.
He was awaiting trial for the murder of 27-year-old Sara Campanella, a case that had shocked the country. The killing, which occurred on March 31, 2025, was widely reported in Italian media and described by prosecutors as a clear case of femicide. The first court hearing had been scheduled for September 10.
The circumstances surrounding Argentino’s death are under review by prison authorities. His suicide raises renewed questions about inmate mental health care and suicide prevention in Italian detention facilities, especially for individuals charged with high-profile violent crimes.
Sara Campanella’s family has not yet made a public statement following the news.
This incident adds to Italy’s growing concern over femicide and the broader societal and judicial responses to gender-based violence.