A woman aged 33 was fatally stabbed by her former boyfriend who had removed the ankle monitor designed to keep him away from her. Jessica Stappazzollo Custodio de Lima was attacked at the residence of her ex-partner, Douglas Reis Pedroso, in Castelnuovo del Garda, Verona, Italy. The victim, originally from Brazil and working as a shop assistant in Italy, succumbed to multiple stab wounds, including fatal injuries to her heart.
Reports indicate that Pedroso, a Brazilian national, confessed to the murder during questioning by Judge Paola Vacca at the Verona Court. The suspect had tampered with the ankle tag meant to restrict his proximity to Jessica, with the monitoring system failing to alert authorities as intended. This incident has raised concerns about the efficacy of such monitoring measures in cases of high risk.
Pedroso had a history of violence towards Jessica, with previous incidents of mistreatment and physical harm dating back to August 2024. Despite being previously detained for assaulting Jessica and being ordered to stay away from her, it was discovered that the ankle monitor was inactive at the time of the latest crime. The suspect’s actions led to a tragic outcome, prompting questions about the adequacy of the monitoring system.
Following the murder, Pedroso contacted authorities expressing suicidal intentions, leading to the discovery of Jessica’s lifeless body in his home. Investigations also uncovered drugs and alcohol in Pedroso’s residence, indicating a history of substance abuse. Pedroso was subsequently arrested in Valeggio sul Mincio and admitted to the killing, citing drug influence as a factor in his actions.
The victim’s sister, Laiza Stappazzollo, criticized the authorities for not intervening sooner despite prior reports of violence. She revealed that Jessica had reported the abuse to the police but retracted her statements out of fear. The tragic incident has sparked outrage and sorrow in the community, prompting legislative actions to enhance protections for victims of domestic violence and strengthen measures to prevent such heinous acts in the future.