Hulu's This Is Not Hollywood explores the tragic story of Sarah Scazzi, a 15-year-old girl who was murdered in 2010, tearing up Italy and transforming the quiet town of Avetrana into a media' point of interest. Set in a beautiful state Apulia, the series explores how Sarah’s disappearance and death were sensationalized by television networks, transforming a local tragedy into a nationwide spectacle.
The show highlights the intense media scrutiny that the town and its residents faced, including the shocking moment when Sarah’s mother learned of her daughter’s death on live TV. Through this deeply emotional lens, the series examines the darker aspects of media influence, public obsession, and the rise of dark tourism surrounding infamous crime sites.
This Is Not Hollywood thoughtfully portrays the devastating impact such events can have on families and communities, questioning the ethics of turning real-life tragedies into entertainment.
When did Sarah disappear?
On August 26, 2010, 15-year-old Sarah Scazzi went missing in the small town of Avetrana, Italy. She had planned to visit her cousin, Sabrina Misseri, and go to the beach. Sarah, wearing a pink T-shirt, pink shorts, and flip-flops, left her house in the early afternoon, carrying a black backpack and her cellphone, a gift from her older brother.
Sarah had a close bond with her brother and father, who were working in Milan at the time. She often felt the weight of her mother’s strictness and found comfort in her cousin Sabrina’s family, to the point of reportedly asking to be adopted by her aunt and uncle.
On the day she vanished, Sarah left her house at 9 a.m. but returned to get money for Sabrina's cream. Later, she joined her father for groceries around 12:30 p.m., returning home by 1 p.m. At around 2 p.m., Sarah likely left for Sabrina’s house, as noted by the family housekeeper.
At 2:25 p.m., Sabrina received a message from her friend Mariangela Spagnoletti:
“[Give me] the time to put on the costume, and I’m coming.”
This prompted Sabrina to call Sarah. Sarah’s phone rang at 2:28 p.m., marking her last known communication. What happened after remains a mystery, sparking a case that gripped the nation.
The investigation of Sarah Scazzi’s disappearance
Initially thought to have left voluntarily, the search for her began late. Suspicion first turned to Sarah’s father’s hometown, but this led nowhere. Investigators discovered Sarah had three Facebook profiles and had recently communicated with a married man, but this trail also proved inconclusive.
On September 7, investigators wiretapped Sarah’s brother’s phone, citing his lack of urgency to return home. A breakthrough came on September 29, when Sarah’s uncle, Michele Misseri, found her burned cell phone in a field. He claimed to have stumbled upon it while searching for a lost tool.
On October 6, after hours of interrogation, Michele confessed to taking Sarah’s life and hiding her body in a well. He claimed he acted impulsively due to stress and frustration. Michele later gave conflicting accounts, involving his daughter Sabrina.
In one version, he alleged Sabrina confronted Sarah about accusations against him and restrained her while he acted out of frustration.
The inconsistencies in Michele’s statements raised doubts about his credibility. Over time, the investigation uncovered deeper family tensions, leading to a highly publicized and emotionally charged case that captivated Italy
The tragic death of Sarah Scazzi
The fate of Sarah Scazzi was revealed weeks later in a tragic confession. Her uncle, Michele Misseri, initially admitted to strangling Sarah in a moment of uncontrollable anger. He claimed Sarah had come to his garage to visit, and after a brief exchange, he killed her using a rope, blaming his frustration over unrelated personal issues.
Michele later changed his account, implicating his daughter Sabrina and wife Cosima in Sarah’s death. According to his revised confession, Sabrina allegedly confronted Sarah about a personal matter, leading to an altercation.
Michele claimed that during this confrontation, she strangled Sarah while Sabrina restrained her.
Despite conflicting versions of events, Sarah’s lifeless body was discovered in a well, confirming her tragic end. The case remains clouded by contradictions and continues to evoke sadness and questions about what truly happened.
The verdict and lingering questions in the Avetrana case
On April 20, 2013, the Taranto Court of Assizes sentenced Sabrina Misseri and Cosima Serrano to life in prison for the murder of Sarah Scazzi. Michele Misseri, Sarah’s uncle, received an eight-year sentence for hiding her body and tampering with evidence.
These sentences were upheld by the Taranto Court of Appeal in 2015 and confirmed by Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation in 2017.
The Supreme Court described the crime as coldly planned and highlighted efforts to mislead the investigation. Sabrina was accused of manipulating the media and steering attention away from the truth.
In 2018, Sabrina and Cosima’s defense requested a review from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing judicial errors. The ECHR deemed the appeal admissible, suggesting concerns about the fairness of the original trials.
A final decision is still pending as of 2024. Meanwhile, Michele later revealed he alone was responsible for Sarah’s death and has unsuccessfully sought reconciliation with his wife and daughter.
The case remains a mix of tragedy, media frenzy, and unresolved questions, casting doubt on the outcome and keeping Sarah’s story in the public eye.
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