Italian Man Surrenders to Police After Allegedly Stabbing Girlfriend to Death

Italian Man Surrenders to Police After Allegedly Stabbing Girlfriend to Death

A 53-year-old Italian man, identified as Marco Panichi, has reportedly surrendered to the police after allegedly stabbing his 36-year-old girlfriend, Grey Sanmartin Villalba, to death in Vergiate, in Italy’s Varese province.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026.

According to reports, Panichi, a plumbing technician, allegedly stabbed Villalba at least 15 times, with several wounds concentrated around her neck.

Following the incident, he reportedly drove to his father’s apartment in another province, where he confessed to what had happened before turning himself in to the police.

At the police station, Panichi reportedly claimed that he acted in self-defence, alleging that Villalba, a Colombian national, had attacked him with a knife during an argument. He also reportedly described her as extremely jealous.

Investigators found Villalba’s body in the couple’s bedroom, with a kitchen knife featuring a 33-centimetre blade lying nearby. A preliminary medical examination reportedly identified at least 15 stab wounds, many of them around her neck.

Reports indicate that the couple had been dating for less than a year. Villalba, who lived in Ancona, was separated and had two minor children, while Panichi had previously been in a relationship that lasted about 10 years before it ended.

Panichi later rented an apartment in Vergiate, where the couple lived together. He frequently shared pictures of their relationship on social media and reportedly changed his relationship status to “officially engaged” on July 16.

The circumstances surrounding Villalba’s death remain under investigation. Panichi’s claim of self-defence has not been established, and the allegations against him remain subject to the ongoing investigation.

Italian Man Surrenders to Police After Allegedly Stabbing Girlfriend to Death