Francesco Maniscalco, father of 23-year-old Palermo-based flight attendant Aurora Maniscalco, demands answers following his daughter’s fatal fall from a Vienna apartment-hotel on June 23. Aurora was vacationing with boyfriend Elio Bargione, now under investigation for suspected incitement to suicide.
During her funeral in Palermo today, Maniscalco revealed Aurora suffered a physical assault last May documented in a medical report after an abortion. “My daughter underwent an abortion at Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital,” stated Maniscalco. “The medical report explicitly notes she endured physical violence.” He added Aurora concealed both the pregnancy termination and assault from him, while his ex-wife disclosed “tense episodes” between the young couple, including possible aggression.
Expressing outrage, Maniscalco noted Bargione’s family absented themselves from the funeral: “Not one attended—no flowers, no condolences. Perhaps the media attention disturbs them.”
Attorney Alberto Raffadale is investigating why May’s assault report didn’t trigger an inquiry, citing discrepancies in witness accounts of Aurora’s fall. “Witnesses claimed she fell headfirst, yet the autopsy showed leg fractures only—no rib injuries. I’ll pursue truth relentlessly,” the father vowed. Palermo prosecutors have requested Austrian crime scene photos.
Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla granted a free burial niche, acknowledging the tragedy “shook public conscience given the victim’s youth and unclear circumstances.” Aurora’s remains will be interred at Rotoli Cemetery pending judicial authorization; additional forensic analysis is required.
The funeral priest delivered a stark eulogy: “Palermo enslaves its workers. Our youth are forced to flee this city to build futures.”
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