Exorcism massacre: Italian mason 'forces 17-year-old daughter to watch' as he slaughters his wife and two sons aged 15 and five with the help of 'religious fanatics' in a bid to rid his home of 'demons'
- Giovanni Barreca confessed to killing his wife and two sons in their home
An Italian bricklayer may have forced his 17-year-old daughter to watch as he slaughtered his wife and two sons in a bid to rid their home of 'demons', investigators claim.
Giovanni Barreca, 54, confessed to killing his wife Antonella Salamone, 40, and their sons Kevin, 15, and Emanuel, five, at their home in Altavilla Milicia, near Palermo.
A couple, dubbed “religious fanatics” by locals and believed to be friends of Barreca, have since been accused of being complicit in the murders.
Massimo Carandente and Sabrina Fina were arrested after Barreca called the Carabinieri on Saturday evening and told them: “I killed my family, I'm waiting for you to come get me… there was a demon in the house.”
The children were allegedly strangled, with one of the boys found chained. The police discovered their bodies in the parental home, ANSA reports, as their mother's charred remains lay buried in the garden.
An Italian bricklayer has confessed to killing his wife (pictured together) and two sons. His daughter survived
Photos from the scene show police tape across the road in front of the family home, as well as officers gathered outside some police vehicles.
Giovanni Barreca, 54, confessed to the murder of his wife, 40-year-old Antonella Salamone
The murders may have occurred over several days, with initial examinations of the bodies indicating that the boys were killed on Friday, while their mother was killed earlier in the week.
The only family member spared was Barreca's daughter, who was found in her bedroom and reportedly in shock.
Police are investigating whether the teen was drugged and forced to watch the massacre. La Stampa reports, and have spoken to the girl.
“He wanted to free us from the devil,” she allegedly told investigators. “My father was convinced the house was haunted by the devil.”
Police have described the testimony as “interesting” as they try to determine whether the killings were part of a sickening exorcism ritual.
Have neighbors so-called that Barreca beat his wife and that he had a bizarre obsession with Satan, sent them to the left and even believed that cats were animals of the devil.
Barreca told prosecutors that he wanted to free his victims from “demons” and that he was encouraged to do so by Carandente and Fina.
The trio met at a prayer meeting at an evangelical church, where they had since moved from.
Barreca told prosecutors that he wanted to free the victims from “demons” and that he was allegedly encouraged by Carandente and Fina
Carandente's Facebook profile is full of religious slogans such as “Satan uses corrupt pastors” and “When the people pray, the devil trembles.”
An arrest warrant was issued for Carandente and Fina yesterday and police managed to track them down using Barreca's phone and the testimonies of locals.
The couple, both from Palermo, were taken to the prosecutor's office and face multiple murder charges.
As the Carabinieri continue to investigate the killings, video footage from the scene shows police taped across the road in front of the family home, as well as police officers gathered outside some police vehicles.