A 20-year-old woman, Simona Cinà, was found dead in a swimming pool during a party at a private villa in Bagheria (Palermo) last night. The young volleyball player reportedly entered the water and was unable to save herself. Emergency services confirmed her death upon arrival, and carabinieri have launched an investigation. Authorities have impounded her body pending an autopsy.
Simona Cinà, described as a vibrant athlete deeply committed to volleyball, played for Acds Capacense Volley until last year. “Volleyball was everything to her. She taught many children. We are devastated,” stated Paolo Di Maggio, president of the club. He added she paused playing for an Erasmus year in Spain and to visit her brother, recalling her as “a sensible young woman who loved sports, was very dedicated, and participated in summer beach volleyball tournaments. A great loss.”
However, the family’s lawyer, Gabriele Giambrone, raised significant concerns, stating there are “too many unanswered questions.” He questioned why no one noticed Simona dead in the small pool for an extended period despite the villa being full of young people, noting her face-up position seemed inconsistent with a simple fall. “Even if she felt unwell in the pool, how is it possible no one saw the body?” Giambrone requested an urgent autopsy.
Disturbing details emerged about the discovery. Simona’s parents, worried when she hadn’t returned home by 4:50 AM, called her phone. A young man answered, stating she was unwell. Rushing to the villa – the scene of a graduation party – they found her dead. Emergency services were reportedly called around 4:00 AM. Simona’s best friend had left her at the pool party around 3:00 AM, leaving the events between 3:00 and 4:00 AM unclear.
Giambrone, who arrived at dawn to find dozens of youths awaiting questioning, expressed skepticism over claims no one saw or heard anything, especially as some guests were still wet. He also highlighted the puzzling scene investigators encountered: “The house was clean with no trace of alcohol… Yet the WhatsApp invitation promised to ‘keep you hydrated’ with alcohol symbols. We only found plastic bags with empty water bottles.” He emphasized Simona was a “health-conscious” teetotaler, adding, “What happened to her?”
Forensic investigations are underway. One party attendee was taken to the barracks for DNA testing after traces of blood were found at the villa. The young man reportedly claimed he kicked something in shock upon hearing of the tragedy and injured himself. Investigators are verifying this account.
Simona’s final hours, documented on social media, show her starting the day with beach volleyball practice in Capaci, traveling to Bagheria, stopping for supplies with friends, and then attending the ill-fated party. Carabinieri are interviewing attendees to reconstruct the events, as many aspects of the tragedy remain unclear.
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