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The murder of Sarah Scazzi is one of the most disturbing criminal cases in Italy's recent history, and it's a case that has been widely publicized. On August 26, 2010, the 15-year-old girl from Avetrana, a small town in the province of Taranto, disappeared mysteriously.
What started as a missing person case quickly turned into a gruesome investigation that would uncover deceit, betrayal, and even unthinkable cruelty within her family. The discovery of Sarah's body 42 days later at the bottom of a well shocked the nation and brought much media attention.
The upcoming Hulu series This is Not Hollywood, released on December 11, promises to dig into the details of this tragic case.
Five shocking facts about Sarah Scazzi's murder
1) The disappearance and search:
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On the afternoon of August 26, 2010, Sarah Scazzi left her home to visit her cousin, Sabrina Misseri. She intended to spend the day at the beach with her cousin. But her family was worried, as Sarah did not arrive; the police began searching all around the town.
Everyone in Avetrana united to assist the police to look everywhere. As reported by The Guardian, Sarah's body was recovered after 42 days on the bottom of a well. The local police and volunteers scoured the surrounding countryside, hoping to find some trace of Sarah. They searched fields, forests, and abandoned buildings without much significant evidence.
The effort was enormous, including helicopters, sniffer dogs, and diving teams specializing in inspecting wells and other water bodies. As reported by BBC, the body was found dead in a well, covered with debris. That was the end of the search, and there was a change of gear in the investigation to find the killer.
2) The critical confession:
While investigating the case, Sarah Scazzis's uncle, Michele Misseri, claimed to have discovered her cell phone under the olive leaves. Then, in a key revelation, Michele confessed to killing Sarah in his garage. He claimed that he strangled her with a piece of rope, panicked, and then disposed of her body in the well.
However, as the investigation unfolded, his story changed several times, and it caused huge complications in the sequence of events. His wife, Cosima Serrano, and daughter, Sabrina Misseri, were later implicated based on further evidence and testimony.
As reported by The Guardian, Prosecutors claimed that Sabrina and Cosima had participated in the murder because of jealousy and family rivalry. Michele finally recanted his claims of sole responsibility, saying the confession was made when he was under duress.
3) Family involvement:
Testimonies from neighbors and friends revealed the strained relationship among the Misseri family. Witnesses testified to several instances of jealousy among Sabrina and Sarah due to attention from others.
As reported by Unione Sarda, Sabrina harbored resentment against Sarah due to the latter's youth and popularity. These testimonies provided significant pieces in the prosecution case in which a house full of tension had led to the murder of Sarah.
4) Media sensation:
The media's involvement further added another disturbing dimension. The public came to know of Sarah Scazzi's murder in real-time during a live television transmission. Sarah's mother, Concetta Serrano, appeared on a talk show, appealing for help to find her daughter.
According to BBC News and The Guardian, it was during this live broadcast that she received news of Michele Misseri's confession, leading to an unforgettable and deeply unsettling moment. This sensational approach to the coverage of the case received a lot of criticism for being insensitive.
5) Aftermath
As reported by Unione Sarda, in 2015, the court sentenced Sabrina Misseri and Cosima Serrano to life imprisonment for their actions in Sarah Scazzi's murder. Michele Misseri initially confessed and received an eight-year sentence for his role in keeping the body.
The case engraved its mark on Italian society to the extent that debates surrounding media ethics, familial violence, and criminal justice were ignited. But Michele's later declarations when he expressed the wish to remain in prison even after completing his sentence gave a poignant touch to the aftermath.
Sarah Scazzi's murder is one of the tragic reminders of what can happen in the seemingly ordinary lives of people with dark intentions beneath the surface. This is Not Hollywood brings to light the events leading to her death in an objective and detailed manner. The show aims to inform viewers of the facts without sensationalizing the notorious case.
