A tour of the necropolis and along the Tuvixeddu tunnel, like so many in the past. But not for the family of Manuela Murgia, who was found dead in that canyon at just 16 years old in 1995. Now that the investigation has been reopened and a murder inquiry is underway (the girl's ex-boyfriend), her sister Anna is attacking the organizers of a walk on the Cagliari hills, taking to social media to rant against them, accusing them of "profiting" from a tragedy. Even though they had already explained that they wanted nothing to do with Manuela and her family's plight.
"With the immense strain of the terrible period we are going through, the pain that has accompanied us for thirty years, and all the difficulties we have to endure, we must also face situations like this, where, for profit, the sad story of our sister's discovery and the location where her body was found is being exploited." Accompanying the "complaint" posted on social media is a photo: a group of visitors listening to a guide a short distance from the spot where the lifeless sixteen-year-old was found.
"We are extremely heartbroken and angry at the lack of respect shown to the victim and our family. This saddens us and fills us with anger and dismay," Manuela's sister continues. The photo, she says, "is unmistakable; there are even people with their heads tilted upward to note the height of the cliff. I also notice the smiles of those who, with absolute ease, are having their photo taken. I felt a tightness in my stomach and an anxiety attack. For me, this is too much; for us, it's too much. Pain should not be exploited, and we cannot profit from pain and a grave loss like this. It is absolutely disrespectful."
The event organizers, called upon by Anna Murgia, replied: " Ours is simply a guided tour that focuses on the profound historical, cultural, and landscape significance of the Tuvixeddu area. During the tour, we talk about the necropolis, the canyon, the exploitation of the area, and the urban decay that characterizes it," they clarified. "There is no reference to what happened to your family, and obviously, far be it from us to exploit this event. We hope we have clarified the situation."
Enrico Fresu