Mafia Family Sends Chilling Message to Anti-Mafia Activist in Rome
The notorious Casamonica crime family, a mafia-style syndicate operating in and around Rome, is suspected of leaving a black coffin outside the home of anti-mafia activist Tiziana Ronzio on Sunday. This brazen act has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the ongoing battle between organized crime and those who dare to oppose it.
Tiziana Ronzio, president of the anti-mafia group Toripiubella, has been a vocal critic of the Casamonica clan. Her organization, named after the Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood—once home to the Casamonica’s opulent villas—has been instrumental in fighting crime in the area. The villas, which were demolished by authorities in 2018 and 2019, were filled with extravagant decorations, including life-sized porcelain tigers hiding cash, diamond-encrusted swimming pools, and gilded ceilings. During the demolition, police uncovered several tons of drugs, including heroin and cocaine.
The black coffin was discovered outside Ronzio’s residence in the Tor Bella Monaca district, a clear attempt to intimidate her. Ronzio initially didn’t grasp the severity of the situation until her security detail informed her. Although she dismissed the threat as “stupid,” she admitted it had unsettled her group, which frequently reports criminal activities and testifies in court.
Undeterred, Ronzio declared, “I’m not afraid, I’m moving forward. These are stupid gestures that only make us angrier and more determined to fight.” Despite her resolve, the threat underscores the danger faced by those who stand up against organized crime. Ronzio has previously faced intimidation, including written threats and feces left at her doorstep.
Rome’s police are currently examining the coffin for fingerprints as part of their investigation. Meanwhile, Ronzio’s group, Toripiubella, has refrained from making any public statements due to the ongoing investigation.
The Casamonica clan, identified as a mafia-style group in the 1970s by Italy’s Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA), has a long history of criminal activities, including extortion, racketeering, and usury. With an estimated 1,000 members and a wealth of around 90 million euros, the clan has been involved in various crimes, including murder.
In a show of solidarity, Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, expressed his support for Ronzio, stating that the city and its administration would continue to stand by her in the fight for justice. Tobia Zevi, Rome’s councilor for heritage and housing policies, also praised Ronzio’s courage and perseverance in the face of such threats.
The Casamonica family gained infamy in 2015 when they were permitted to hold a lavish funeral for their patriarch, Vittorio Casamonica. The event, which featured a horse-drawn carriage and a helicopter dropping rose petals, was a stark reminder of the clan’s influence and the challenges authorities face in curbing their power.
As the investigation into the coffin incident continues, the message is clear: the fight against organized crime is far from over, but with activists like Ronzio leading the charge, there is hope for justice and change in Rome.
