Federico Venco, 36, from Samarate, in the province of Varese, died after helping a stranger. He was hit and killed around 11:00 PM yesterday in Somma Lombardo (Varese) on the road leading to the hamlet of Maddalena, overlooking the Ticino River. A 43-year-old local resident, who intentionally hit him with his car, was arrested for his murder overnight.
The 39-year-old woman Venco had stopped to help was the alleged murderer's ex-partner, who had agreed to meet him one last time after ending their relationship less than a month earlier. After much persuasion, he finally convinced her with the excuse of returning some personal belongings. The woman was riding her motorcycle to the meeting point, near the Maddalena cemetery, following directions on her phone. However, along the way, she lost her phone, effectively leaving herself without a guide. At that point, Venco, passing by, saw her alone in the middle of a dark road, in distress, so he decided to stop and try to help the stranger. He gave her directions, then, since it wasn't far to go, offered to drive her, thus preventing her from getting lost. Ultimately, it was a matter of diverting his route by a few minutes.
The 43-year-old was expecting a car and, according to what investigators have determined so far, he lost his mind when he saw the 39-year-old woman with another man. He thought it was the person his ex had started seeing and accelerated, hitting and killing him . Not only that, but after hitting the 36-year-old, the man also got out of the car and attacked the woman, starting to beat her .
Passersby stopped the 43-year-old man at the scene and called 911. There was nothing that could be done for Venco; he died instantly. The 43-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder. There is a strong suspicion that the 36-year-old may have saved the woman's life: a large rock, which could have been used as a weapon, and a small knife were found in the 43-year-old's car. The possibility that the 43-year-old wanted to meet his ex-girlfriend to harm her is also being investigated.
