
Ornella Forastefano was brutally beaten and then left outside the emergency room of the hospital in Trebisacce, Calabria. She was 46 years old and had two children, with whom she ran a bar in the center of the small town.
When doctors noticed her presence outside the hospital, they immediately helped her, but the injuries were too severe and they were unable to save her life.
The woman had been living for a year and a half with Elvis Metvelaj, 42, an Albanian citizen previously known to authorities for drug trafficking. In the hours immediately following the attack, he became elusive and was later arrested at the port of Bari while trying to board a ship to Albania.
The investigations are being carried out by the Carabinieri of the Investigative Unit of the Cosenza Provincial Command.
At the moment, the available evidence suggests a femicide, but it will be the interrogation of the detained man that will help clarify how the incident occurred.
The victim belonged to the Forastefano family, known for issues related to the 'Ndrangheta, but investigators have not shown any connection between this family context and her death.
"Mom, the void you left is inexplicable. I still can't believe it, it feels like a nightmare."
"This morning, when that call came, I could imagine everything, but not that I would never see you again," Ornella's daughter, Maria Cosentino, wrote on social media.
She continues:
"I am strong, mom, but I still needed you, my mom, and not just my mom, but also my best friend."
For that person who was always there when I had a problem, the shoulder I could lean on when I fell, and vice versa.
You have always been there for me and Ettore and the fact that you were alone at that moment, without our help, makes me feel terribly bad.
No one will bring you back to us, but sooner or later we will meet again and I will finally be able to hug you and tell you that I love you very much, without acting strong with the character I have.
I thank you for everything you have done for me and Ettore. You raised us alone, making a thousand sacrifices.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of Ettore as if I were you, even though it will never be the same without you."