The Messina Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the seizure of Stefano Argentino’s body following the 27-year-old’s death by suicide in prison. Argentino was detained for the femicide of 22-year-old Sara Campanella, his university classmate. An autopsy will be conducted under an ongoing investigation that currently lists no suspects or criminal allegations.
Prosecutor Antonio D’Amato is leading the inquiry to determine the precise circumstances of the incident. Authorities will also examine the medical assessment that resulted in Argentino’s reduced surveillance level at Gazzi prison weeks before his death.
Argentino’s lawyer, Giuseppe Cultrera, revealed he had sought a psychiatric evaluation for his client, stating: “I last met him Monday. He said, ‘Peppe, it’s not easy here.’ Stefano was fragile—the slightest trigger could destroy his fragile peace. Given what happened, my request wasn’t misguided.” Cultrera added that Argentino’s parents are “devastated” and focused on burial arrangements, with his mother under sedation since the incident.
After months under high suicide-risk surveillance, Argentino had been moved to a standard prison regime two weeks earlier. At the time of his death, only an 80-year-old cellmate was present; other inmates were outside for recreational activities.