Italian authorities in Reggio Emilia are investigating an unusual murder case allegedly motivated by an inheritance, where a 76-year-old man was arrested on charges of intentionally causing the death of his 74-year-old cousin by giving him a cream-filled pastry, even though he knew the man had serious swallowing difficulties, according to Rainews.
The victim, who had a disability and lived in a nursing home, died of asphyxiation on June 27, 2026. According to investigators, the 76-year-old man, who was also the victim’s legal guardian, allegedly planned the murder in order to acquire his relative’s estate, the value of which exceeded 300,000 euros.
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At the center of the Carabinieri’s investigation is a traditional Italian pastry known as bombolone alla crema, which resembles a cream-filled doughnut.
The 74-year-old suffered from dysphagia
According to the report, the 74-year-old suffered from severe dysphagia, a disorder that causes difficulty swallowing and can lead to choking. Because of his condition, doctors had prescribed that he consume only liquid or pureed foods.
His cousin was fully aware of these restrictions, as he had been appointed his legal guardian.
However, according to the indictment, during his visit to the care facility, the 76-year-old allegedly secretly brought in a tray of cream-filled pastries and left it on his relative’s table.
Investigators believe that the defendant knew the 74-year-old had a particular fondness for sweets and would attempt to eat them, despite the risk to his health.
He distracted the staff
According to the Italian network, authorities believe that the 76-year-old deliberately distracted the facility’s staff so they would not realize that his relative had access to the sweets.
Even when he realized the 74-year-old was choking, he reportedly did not immediately alert the staff.
Eventually, nurses at the facility noticed food residue and realized that the elderly man was having serious trouble breathing.
Attempts were made to save him using the Heimlich maneuver, and emergency medical responders were also called to the scene.
Despite resuscitation efforts, the 74-year-old did not survive, and his death was confirmed as a result of asphyxiation.
The €300,000 inheritance and the details of the investigation
The ensuing investigation led authorities to suspect the victim’s 76-year-old cousin.
According to the prosecutor’s account, the motive was financial, as the 74-year-old’s estate was worth more than 300,000 euros and the defendant was among those who could have inherited it.
The Carabinieri reportedly found that this was not the first time the 76-year-old had attempted to bring food into the care facility that his relative was prohibited from consuming.
In fact, according to the investigation’s findings, after the 74-year-old’s death, the suspect allegedly tried to influence the statements given by relatives to the investigating authorities, seeking to get them to agree on a common version of events.
Investigators believe that this evidence supports the theory that the elderly man’s death was not a simple accident that occurred during a meal, but the result of a premeditated act.
The 76-year-old is under house arrest
Following a months-long investigation, the Carabinieri of Reggio Emilia moved late Wednesday night (October 28) to execute an arrest warrant against the 76-year-old.
The warrant was issued by the presiding judge for preliminary investigations, following a request from the District Attorney’s Office.
The suspect was placed under house arrest and faces a charge of premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances.
The case came to light four months after the 74-year-old’s death, with Italian authorities accusing his relative and legal guardian of intending to exploit the man’s serious health condition to kill him.
The judicial investigation is ongoing, and the charges against the 76-year-old do not constitute a definitive finding of guilt.
Source: Proto Thema
