History of Monster of Florence in Timeline

The Monster of Florence refers to an unidentified serial killer responsible for the murders of 16 victims, primarily young couples, in the countryside near Florence, Italy, between 1968 and 1985. The crimes occurred during new moons in secluded, wooded areas. Despite investigations and convictions of several individuals, the true identity of the main perpetrator, the precise sequence of events, and the definitive motives behind the murders remain unresolved. The case continues to be a subject of mystery and speculation.

December 1935: Birth of Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua

Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua was born in Totowa, New Jersey on December 20, 1935.

1951: Pacciani's 1951 murder conviction

In 1951, Pietro Pacciani was convicted for the murder of a man who had relations with his ex-girlfriend, and served thirteen years in prison.

August 1968: Signa Murders

In August 1968, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Signa.

August 1968: Murders of Antonio Lo Bianco and Barbara Locci

On the night of 21 August 1968, Antonio Lo Bianco and Barbara Locci were shot to death in Signa. Locci's son was present in the car.

1968: Alleged Access to Case File and Evidence Tampering in 1968 Double Murder

According to Francesco Amicone's investigation, Joseph Bevilacqua might have accessed the case file of the 1968 double murder near Florence where bullets and shell casings had been improperly stored, and that Bevilacqua replaced the pieces of evidence with spent cartridges shot by the gun he would use in the Monster's homicides to link his future crimes to those murders for which he had an alibi.

1968: Murders connected

After this double murder, the investigators connected it to the other four double murders, including the one from 1968.

1968: The Lo Bianco-Locci murder revisited

In 1968 the Lo Bianco-Locci murder case was revisited and it was determined the same gun had been used. Stefano Mele's confession and conviction was questioned, as he had been imprisoned during the later murders, and his statements to the police were inconsistent.

1968: Double Murder in 1968

In 1968, a double murder was committed with the same modus operandi.

1968: 1968 murder investigation

In 1968, an investigation took place regarding a murder.

1968: Ballistic Report of 1968

In 1968, authorities were unable to reconstruct the chain of custody of those pieces of evidence and did not request a scientific comparison, even though it would have been necessary to check whether they matched the ballistic report from 1968.

1968: The Beginning of the Monster of Florence's Murders

In 1968, the serial killer known as the Monster of Florence began his activity, targeting young couples in the province of Florence.

1969: Bevilacqua Allegedly an Undercover Investigator During Zodiac Activities

During the meetings in 2017, Bevilacqua told Amicone that he was an undercover investigator for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) in California during the Zodiac Killer's activities in 1969.

1970: Bevilacqua Allegedly Involved in CID Inquiry on Khaki Mafia

During the meetings in 2017, Bevilacqua told Amicone that he participated in the CID inquiry on the Khaki Mafia in 1970.

1970: Stefano Mele Convicted

In 1970, Stefano Mele was convicted and sentenced to 14 years for the double murder by the Perugia Court.

1973: Stefano Mele Convicted

In 1973, Stefano Mele was definitively convicted for the double murder committed in 1968.

July 1974: Bevilacqua moves to Florence

In July 1974, Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua retired from his 20-year military career with the U.S. Army and moved to Florence.

September 1974: Borgo San Lorenzo Murders

In September 1974, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Borgo San Lorenzo.

September 1974: Murders of Pasquale Gentilcore and Stefania Pettini

On 15 September 1974, Pasquale Gentilcore and Stefania Pettini were shot and stabbed near Borgo San Lorenzo. Pettini's corpse was violated.

1974: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1974, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial in 1994; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

1974: Ballistics test links Gentilcore-Pettini murder to earlier crime

In 1974, a newspaper article about the Gentilcore–Pettini murder prompted the police to perform a ballistics test, confirming that the same gun had been used in that murder and an earlier crime.

1974: Murders Committed

In 1974, seven double murders were committed.

June 1981: Scandicci Murders

In June 1981, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Scandicci.

June 1981: Murders of Giovanni Foggi and Carmela De Nuccio

On 6 June 1981, Giovanni Foggi and Carmela De Nuccio were shot and stabbed near Scandicci. De Nuccio's pubic area was cut out.

October 1981: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In October 1981, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial in 1994; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

October 1981: Vanni sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In October 1981, Vanni was sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

October 1981: Calenzano Murders

In October 1981, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Calenzano.

October 1981: Murders Committed on Dark Nights

In October 1981, the murders were committed on dark nights during the weekends of the summer period and new moons.

October 1981: Murders of Stefano Baldi and Susanna Cambi

On 23 October 1981, Stefano Baldi and Susanna Cambi were shot and stabbed in a park near Calenzano. Cambi's pubic area was cut out.

1981: Police connect killings after the Foggi-De Nuccio murders

In 1981, the police realized the killings were connected after the Foggi-De Nuccio murders.

June 1982: Baccaiano Murders

In June 1982, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Baccaiano.

June 1982: Murders of Paolo Mainardi and Antonella Migliorini

On 19 June 1982, Paolo Mainardi and Antonella Migliorini were shot to death near Montespertoli. Mainardi died later in the hospital.

July 1982: Evidence Found in Mele's Case File

On 20 July 1982, bullets and shell casings were found in Mele's case file, suggesting a connection to the double murders of the 1970s and 1980s.

1982: Police leak false information after 1982 murders

After the 1982 murders, police leaked false information stating that Mainardi had regained consciousness before dying in the hospital.

1982: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1982, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial in 1994; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

1982: Vanni sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1982, Vanni was sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

1982: Cartridge Cases and Bullets Found

In 1982, cartridge cases and bullets fired from the serial killer's handgun were found attached to the file on the 1968 double murder, linking it to the Monster of Florence.

September 1983: Giogoli Murders

In September 1983, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Giogoli.

September 1983: Murders of Wilhelm Friedrich Horst Meyer and Jens Uwe Rüsch

On 9 September 1983, Wilhelm Friedrich Horst Meyer and Jens Uwe Rüsch were found shot to death in Galluzzo.

1983: Francesco Vinci is kept in custody during the 1983 murders

In 1983, Francesco Vinci was kept in custody for over a year, even during the occurrence of murders in that year.

1983: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1983, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial in 1994; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

1983: Vanni sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1983, Vanni was sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

1983: Murders Committed

In 1983, seven double murders were committed.

July 1984: Vicchio Murders

In July 1984, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Vicchio.

July 1984: Murders of Claudio Stefanacci and Pia Gilda Rontini

On 29 July 1984, Claudio Stefanacci and Pia Gilda Rontini were shot and stabbed near Vicchio. Rontini's pubic area and left breast were removed.

December 1984: Publication of Gente magazine

Issue no. 51 of Gente magazine, which was later identified as the source from which the Monster of Florence had cut the letters for the letter mailed to deputy DA Silvia Della Monica in September 1985, was published in December 1984.

1984: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1984, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial in 1994; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

1984: Vanni sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1984, Vanni was sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

1984: Police release Sardinian suspects after 1984 murders

In 1984, the police released Giovanni Mele, Piero Mucciarini and Francesco Vinci from custody due to the occurrence of murders that year while they were in custody.

September 1985: Murder of Jean Michel Kraveichvili and Nadine Mauriot

In September 1985, Jean Michel Kraveichvili and Nadine Mauriot, were murdered while sleeping in their tent near San Casciano in Val di Pesa. Kraveichvili was shot and stabbed while trying to escape, and Mauriot's body was mutilated. A piece of Mauriot's breast was sent to the Florence Prosecutor's Office with a taunting note, challenging authorities to find the victims.

September 1985: Scopeti Murders

In September 1985, the crimes were committed on dirt country roads or hidden wooded areas frequented by couples in the surroundings of Florence, specifically in Scopeti.

September 1985: Monster of Florence mails a letter to deputy DA Silvia Della Monica

The Monster of Florence mails a letter to deputy DA Silvia Della Monica in September 1985. The letters for this letter were later identified as having been cut from Gente magazine, issue no. 51 of December 1984.

October 1985: Francesco Narducci found dead in Lake Trasimeno in October 1985

In October 1985, Francesco Narducci was found dead in Lake Trasimeno a month after the Monster's last double crime, and his death was handled by unorthodox means and hasty burial.

1985: Arrest of Salvatore Vinci after the final Monster murder in 1985

After the final Monster murder in 1985, Salvatore Vinci was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, with the intention of linking him to the other killings attributed to the Monster.

1985: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1985, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial in 1994; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

1985: Vanni sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1985, Vanni was sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides (October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

1985: Murders Committed

In 1985, seven double murders were committed.

1985: Florence Prosecutor's Office Receives Letter

In 1985, the Florence Prosecutor's Office received a letter including the breast flap of a victim.

1985: The End of the Monster of Florence's Murders

In 1985, the Monster of Florence's murder spree ended, leaving behind sixteen victims and an unsolved mystery.

1988: Bevilacqua's Tenure at Florence American Cemetery Ends

In 1988, Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua concluded his time as an ABMC officer and superintendent, residing and working at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial near the last Monster's crime scene from 1974.

1989: All Sardinian suspects cleared in 1989

In 1989, all the Sardinian suspects were officially cleared and Mario Rotella withdrew from the case.

1994: Bevilacqua Testifies at Pacciani Trial

In 1994, Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua testified at the Pacciani trial, denying that he knew Pacciani at the time.

1994: Pacciani convicted for seven double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985)

In 1994, Pietro Pacciani was controversially convicted in the first-instance trial; he was given 14 life sentences for seven of the eight double homicides (1974, June and October 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985).

December 1996: New trial ordered for Pacciani

In December 1996, a new trial for Pietro Pacciani was ordered by the Supreme Court of Cassation.

1996: Lotti's 1996 declaration about crimes

In 1996, Giancarlo Lotti declared that the crimes were "acts of anger due to sexual approaches that the victims would have rejected".

1996: Pietro Pacciani's Acquittal Annulled

In 1996, Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation annulled the acquittal of Pietro Pacciani and sent the case back for a new trial.

1996: Acquittal

In 1996, Pietro Pacciani was acquitted on appeal.

1996: Pacciani's financial status in 1996

In 1996, Pietro Pacciani, a modest farmer, had 157 million lire at his disposal (corresponding in 1996 to €117,069.52 in 2018) in cash and interest-bearing postal vouchers, and had purchased a car and two houses.

1997: Lotti's 1997 declaration about Pacciani's intention

In 1997, Giancarlo Lotti stated that Pietro Pacciani's intention was to kill and then feed the fetishes to his daughters.

1998: Conviction of Vanni and Lotti in first-instance trial

In 1998, Mario Vanni and Giancarlo Lotti were convicted in the first-instance trial as Pacciani's accomplices. Vanni was sentenced to life imprisonment for five double homicides, while Lotti was sentenced to 30 years for four double homicides.

1998: Death

In 1998, Pietro Pacciani died before being able to undergo a new trial.

1998: Death of Pietro Pacciani

In 1998, Pietro Pacciani died before the new appeal trial could begin.

1999: Vanni and Lotti convictions confirmed in second-instance trial

In 1999, during the second-instance trial, Tony requested an acquittal for Vanni and Faggi and a reduced sentence for Lotti; however, both convictions were confirmed, with only a reduction for Vanni's daytime isolation and Lotti's sentence was reduced to 26 years.

2000: Final Sentence of 2000

After the final sentence in 2000, physical evidence was never found at the crime scenes and the serial killer's firearm was never traced.

2000: Sentences

In 2000, Mario Vanni and Giancarlo Lotti were definitely sentenced to life imprisonment and 26 years, respectively, for the crimes of 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985.

2000: Supreme Court of Cassation confirms appeal sentence

In 2000, the Supreme Court of Cassation confirmed the appeal sentence for Vanni and Lotti.

2000: Convictions of Mario Vanni and Giancarlo Lotti

In 2000, the Supreme Court of Cassation convicted Mario Vanni and Giancarlo Lotti for five and four of the eight double murders, respectively, linking them to the "Snack Buddies".

2001: Giuttari announces crimes are connected to a satanic cult

In 2001, Giuttari announced that the crimes were connected to a satanic cult allegedly active in the Florence area, based on Lotti's testimony about a doctor hiring Pacciani to commit the murders and collect genitalia for rituals, and the discovery of a pyramidal stone near a villa where Pacciani had been employed.

2001: Investigation on Doctor Narducci's death in 2001

In 2001, an anti-usury investigation led the Perugia prosecutor's office to investigate doctor Narducci's death due to public gossip about him.

June 2002: Exhumation and Identification of Narducci's body

In June 2002, the body buried was exhumed and identified as Narducci. After the exhumation, Mignini postulated a second body switch. A post-mortem examination revealed injuries consistent with strangulation, contradicting the original reports of drowning as the cause of death.

2003: Vanni cites "Ulysses" as the real Monster

During a conversation in prison in 2003, Mario Vanni cited an American named "Ulysses" as the real "Monster".

2009: Il mostro di Firenze television film produced

In 2009, a six-part television film titled "Il mostro di Firenze" was produced and broadcast on Fox Crime, depicting the Monster of Florence case.

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2010: Vigna skeptical about second level of instigators

In 2010, Pier Luigi Vigna, former Florence prosecutor, expressed skepticism about the existence of a possible second level of instigators, noting that investigations following those of the "Snacks Buddies" have not had any developments.

April 2011: Publication of The True Stories of the Monster of Florence

In April 2011, "The True Stories of the Monster of Florence", a book by Jacopo Pezzan and Giacomo Brunoro, was published. It provides a detailed account of the murders and investigative theories related to the Monster of Florence case.

2012: Publication of Delitto degli Scopeti. Giustizia mancata

In 2012, the book "Delitto degli Scopeti. Giustizia mancata" by lawyers Vieri Adriani, Francesco Cappeletti, and Salvatore Maugeri was published. It reanalyses the final pair of murders in Scopeti and claims missteps in the investigation.

June 2017: Signing of pro forma for Bevilacqua's biography

In June 2017, Joseph Bevilacqua and Francesco Amicone signed a pro forma agreement for drafting Bevilacqua's biography; Bevilacqua, however, denied admitting guilt and filed a lawsuit.

August 2017: Meetings between Bevilacqua and Amicone

Between May 26 and August 10, 2017, Joseph Bevilacqua and Francesco Amicone held seven meetings, each lasting around two to three hours.

September 2017: Bevilacqua Implies Responsibility and Agrees to Turn Himself In

During a phone call on September 12, 2017, Joseph Bevilacqua implied his involvement in both the Monster of Florence and the Zodiac Killer cases and initially agreed to Francesco Amicone's request to get a lawyer and turn himself in, before changing his mind.

2017: Francesco Amicone's Investigation Linking Monster of Florence and Zodiac Killer

In 2017, journalist Francesco Amicone conducted an investigation that proposed a connection between the Monster of Florence and the Zodiac Killer cases. Amicone's research was partly based on Robert Graysmith's "Zodiac" book and his hypothesis of a link between Zodiac and water.

2017: Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders episode "Il Mostro"

In 2017, the television series Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders featured an episode titled "Il Mostro". In this episode, the Monster is identified as a surgeon and is also known as "The Surgeon of Death".

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March 2018: Amicone's denunciation against Bevilacqua

On March 1, 2018, Francesco Amicone filed a denunciation against Joseph Bevilacqua.

May 2018: Publication of Amicone's Articles on "Monster-Zodiac Connection"

In May 2018, Francesco Amicone's first articles on the "Monster–Zodiac connection" were published by Tempi (online) and Il Giornale (both print and online).

2018: Pacciani's financial status in 1996 corresponding to 2018 value

2018: Amicone Reveals Bevilacqua's Admission of Knowing Pacciani

In 2018, journalist Francesco Amicone revealed on Il Giornale that Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua admitted to him that he had known Pacciani since the 1980s, contradicting his previous testimony in 1994. This contradiction was later confirmed by Bevilacqua himself.

2018: Esoteric Lead Resurfaces in Rossella Corazzin Investigation

In 2018, the esoteric lead, particularly Narducci's alleged involvement in the Monster of Florence murders, reemerged during the investigation into Rossella Corazzin's disappearance in 1975. This information was included in the final draft of the Anti-Mafia Parliamentary Commission's report, stemming from statements made by Angelo Izzo regarding the Circeo massacre.

2018: Publication of Amicone's articles on the "Zodiac-Monster" connection

Starting in 2018, Francesco Amicone's articles exploring the connection between the Zodiac Killer and the Monster of Florence began appearing on tempi.it, Il Giornale, Libero, and his blog, ostellovolante.com.

2020: Magazine Identified as Source of Letter Cutouts

In 2020, researcher Valeria Vecchione identified Gente magazine, issue no. 51 of December 1984, as the source from which the Monster of Florence had cut the letters for the letter mailed to deputy DA Silvia Della Monica in September 1985.

2020: Collection of Bevilacqua's DNA in 2020

In late 2020, Italian authorities collected Joseph Bevilacqua's DNA.

June 2021: Bevilacqua allegedly confesses while hospitalized

According to Vecchione, while hospitalized in Florence in June 2021, Bevilacqua allegedly confessed to being the Monster of Florence and to having killed his first wife, as told to a source on the medical staff.

2021: Presentation of Ballistics Report in 2021

In 2021, Francesco Amicone attached to a supplement to the denunciation against Bevilacqua a report containing 21 interviews with ballistics experts and the results of a test at the range.

2021: Dismissal of Bevilacqua Case and Defamation Charge in 2021

In 2021, at the request of Florence assistant district attorney Luca Turco, the Joseph Bevilacqua case started by Francesco Amicone's statements and his journalistic investigation was dismissed. The magistrate pursued a defamation charge for stating that Bevilacqua admitted to being responsible for both the Monster of Florence and the Zodiac Killer's homicides.

December 2022: Death of Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua

Joseph "Joe" Bevilacqua, a suspect in the Monster of Florence case, died on December 23, 2022.

December 2022: Death of Bevilacqua in Sesto Fiorentino

Joseph Bevilacqua died on December 23, 2022, in Sesto Fiorentino.

November 2023: Bevilacqua's DNA Profile Sent to Zodiac Case Authorities

In November 2023, Francesco Amicone stated that Joseph Bevilacqua's DNA profile was sent to the authorities investigating the Zodiac case.

2023: Release of "The Water Theory" podcast

In 2023, the "Zodiac-Monster" connection was featured in a podcast entitled "The Water Theory", produced by Italian movie distributor Lucky Red.

2023: Authorities Receive Bevilacqua's DNA Profile

In late 2023, the Californian law enforcement departments in charge of the Zodiac case received Bevilacqua's DNA profile from Amicone.

December 2024: Amicone Convicted of Defamation

In December 2024, journalist Francesco Amicone was convicted by the Florence court for defamation. He was sentenced to a fine and ordered to compensate Joseph Bevilacqua's wife and two daughters. The judge described the "Zodiac - Monster of Florence" connection as a "bizarre theory".

March 2025: Vecchione Claims about Bevilacqua on "Pulp Podcast"

In March 2025, researcher Valeria Vecchione claimed on "Pulp Podcast" that Bevilacqua, while hospitalized in Florence in June 2021, allegedly confessed to being the Monster of Florence and killing his first wife. The podcast also released an Amicone's statement about an ongoing police investigation into Bevilacqua in the United States and Italy.

October 2025: The Monster of Florence miniseries streaming on Netflix

In October 2025, "The Monster of Florence", a miniseries created and produced by Stefano Sollima, began streaming on Netflix. The show is based on the murders.

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2025: Vecchione's Claim about Bevilacqua's Alleged Confession

In 2025, Valeria Vecchione claimed that Bevilacqua, while hospitalized in Florence in June 2021, allegedly confessed to being the Monster of Florence and to having killed his first wife, as told to a source on the medical staff.