From abduction to being thrown from a viaduct: Investigation reveals how a 45-year-old Italian woman was killed by her former partner

The investigation into the death of 45-year-old Lorena Isceri is uncovering new details about the serious incident in the Barberino del Mugello area of Italy, where the woman was thrown from a motorway bridge.

According to preliminary findings, her former partner, 36-year-old Federico Vella, is suspected of abducting Isceri and forcing her into the boot of his vehicle.

The 45-year-old reportedly managed to remove the ties from her wrists and then alerted the police. Her call with the emergency response centre lasted about 20 minutes.

During the final part of the call, Vella allegedly opened the car boot. “What are you doing?” were the last words heard before the call was cut off.

The authorities have yet to determine whether Isceri was alive when she was thrown from the bridge or whether she had died earlier as a result of the violence inflicted on her.

The Florence Public Prosecutor’s Office is also investigating whether the crime may have been planned in advance.

An initial reconstruction of events indicates that Vella had hidden in the garage of his former partner, from whom he had separated in August last year. He is suspected of damaging the door mechanism to keep the doors open and waiting for her to arrive.

When the 45-year-old arrived to park her vehicle, her former partner allegedly punched her and bound her hands with ties he had brought with him. He then placed her in the boot and drove away.

According to investigators, the woman’s handbag was also in the boot. After freeing herself from the ties, Isceri reportedly called her mother, a friend and the emergency number.

Police located the car using location data from the 45-year-old’s phone. By the time officers reached the viaduct, Vella had allegedly taken the woman out of the vehicle and thrown her over the parapet.

During the confrontation with police, the 36-year-old allegedly said that he had been betrayed and mistreated. Shortly before the incident, he had posted the message “Goodbye, everyone” on social media.

After the officers arrived, Vella also jumped from the same bridge and died.

Italian authorities are investigating the case as intentional homicide and have ordered autopsies on both bodies.

The forensic examination will determine whether Isceri was alive when she was thrown from the viaduct, while tests will also establish whether Vella had consumed narcotics.

Both individuals’ phones have been seized and are being analysed to reconstruct their communications and movements.

The investigation will also examine security camera footage from along the motorway, as well as recordings from the body cameras worn by the police officers who arrived at the scene.