Lorena Isceri, a 45-year-old woman, was abducted by her ex-boyfriend in Florence on Thursday afternoon and killed after police traced her emergency call but arrived too late, according to reports from The Guardian and Italian media. The incident marks the seventh suspected femicide in Italy since mid-August, intensifying public scrutiny surrounding domestic violence and legislative responses in the country.
The Abduction and Emergency Response in Florence
The sequence of events began in the Rifredi area of Florence, where the suspect forced Isceri into the trunk of a vehicle, according to The Guardian. From the vehicle’s trunk, Isceri managed to place a call to emergency services while being driven toward a highway bridge on the A1.
“Help, he wants to kill me,” Isceri told the police operations center, as reported by Corriere Fiorentino. Police tracked the signal from her mobile phone, but units arrived too late to prevent the fatal outcome. According to The Guardian, the suspect took the phone from Isceri and threw her from the bridge before dying by suicide. Italian media report that investigators are currently working to determine whether Isceri was already dead before she was thrown from the structure.
Rising Concerns Over Partner Violence in Italy
Isceri’s mother told the Italian television channel Sky TG24 that she had spoken with her daughter on Thursday morning, at which point everything seemed normal. When asked about the dynamic between Isceri and her ex-boyfriend, the mother stated that her daughter had previously mentioned the relationship and was “veldig redd” (very frightened), according to The Guardian.
The killing occurred amid a concentration of partner violence across Italy. The Guardian reports that seven women, including Isceri, have been killed by a current or former partner since August 15, when the country observed the Ferragosto holiday. This cluster of deaths follows a period where official figures from the Italian interior ministry had shown a downward trend in femicides during the first half of the year, contrasting with separate counts kept by feminist organizations like Non Una di Meno.
Legislative Framework and Prior Precedents
The recurring homicides continue to spark nationwide debate, drawing parallels to the widespread public outcry triggered by the 2023 killing of 22-year-old student Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend. In response to mounting political pressure, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government introduced tighter measures against violence toward women.
In 2025, Italy enacted legislation establishing a specific legal definition of femicide within the penal code, carrying potential life sentences. The legal reforms also increased penalties for related offenses, including stalking, sexual violence, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, according to The Guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal penalties for femicide in Italy?
Under legislation enacted in 2025, femicide carries a specific legal definition in the Italian penal code and can be punished with a life sentence.
How did emergency services attempt to locate Lorena Isceri?
Isceri called emergency services from the trunk of her car while being abducted in Florence. Police tracked the signal from her mobile phone, but arrived after she was thrown from a highway bridge.
What statistics exist regarding partner violence in Italy?
According to reports citing The Guardian, seven women were killed by current or former partners between August 15 and early September. These figures follow broader monitoring efforts by organizations like Non Una di Meno and official interior ministry data.
Did you know? Italian media outlets such as la Repubblica maintain dedicated observatories to track gender-based violence and femicides across the country, documenting individual cases to monitor broader safety trends.
Stay Informed on Domestic Safety Reporting
Explore more investigative reports and updates on legal reforms across Europe by subscribing to our news updates.
Keep reading