Tragedy in Finale Ligure: Father kills wife and 14-year-old son; football club: “Goodbye, little champion

The bodies of three members of the same family were discovered around midday on September 3 in an apartment in Finale Ligure, in the province of Savona. Local residents had heard gunshots at around midnight, but the authorities were notified several hours later.

Carabinieri officers, fire crews and ambulances quickly arrived at the scene, but could only confirm the deaths of the three people. Initial investigations indicate that this was a case of double murder followed by suicide, which took place late at night between September 2 and 3.

It is suspected that 59-year-old Daniele Baruzzo, using a firearm for which he had a permit, killed his 60-year-old wife, architect Paola Siri, and their son, Mattia, a 14-year-old talented local football player, before taking his own life.

Inside the home, investigators found a note left by the head of the family, a worker who regularly trained at a shooting range. In it, he explained the reasons for his extreme act, referring to several personal difficulties. The case is being investigated by the Albenga Carabinieri under the coordination of prosecutor Maddalena Sala.

The tragedy has deeply shocked the local community and Italian public opinion, coming shortly after another similar case in Rome. Finale FBC, the football club to which the minor Mattia belonged, published a moving farewell message on social media:

“A tragedy has taken the life of one of our young athletes and deeply affected our entire community. We are devastated, stunned and deeply saddened… Goodbye, little champion. Your smile, your commitment and the memory of the moments we shared will forever remain part of Finale FBC’s history and in the hearts of those who knew you.”

As a sign of mourning and respect, the club announced the suspension of all youth-sector activities, including training sessions and matches, through Sunday.