In a chilling act of intimidation, a black coffin was left outside the home of anti-mafia activist Tiziana Ronzio in Rome’s Tor Bella Monaca district on Sunday. Authorities have linked the threat to the notorious Casamonica crime family, a mafia-style syndicate that has operated in and around Rome for decades, according to police reports.
Ronzio, the president of the Toripiubella anti-mafia group, has been a vocal critic of the Casamonica clan. Her organization, which focuses on tackling organized crime in the Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood, has drawn the ire of local criminal elements. This latest incident comes after years of threats and intimidation against Ronzio, who has consistently stood up to the criminal group, reporting their crimes and testifying in court.
The Casamonica Crime Family
The Casamonica clan has a long and dark history in Rome’s criminal underworld. Originally identified as a mafia-style group by Italy’s Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA) in the 1970s, the Casamonicas have engaged in extortion, racketeering, drug trafficking, and usury. Their main families are thought to have originated from Sinti nomadic groups that migrated to Rome after World War II. Over the years, they have amassed a fortune estimated at around €90 million ($101 million).
The Casamonicas are known for their garish displays of wealth, and police have discovered ostentatious decorations in their villas, including life-sized porcelain tigers and golden swimming pools. In 2018 and 2019, many of the family’s villas in the Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood were demolished by the city as part of a crackdown on organized crime. Police also discovered tons of drugs, including heroin and cocaine, during the demolitions.
In 2022, two members of the family were convicted of attempting to traffic seven tons of cocaine from Colombia, further cementing their status as one of Rome’s most dangerous crime syndicates. The family’s estimated 1,000 members continue to be implicated in various criminal activities, including a current trial involving a dozen members accused of stealing electricity from a housing project in Rome.
Threats Against Ronzio
The black coffin found outside Ronzio’s home is the latest in a series of threats she has faced due to her anti-mafia activism. Initially, Ronzio did not realize the coffin was meant as a threat until her security detail informed her. Despite the disturbing message, she remains resolute, telling local media, “I’m not afraid, I’m moving forward. These are stupid gestures which make us even more angry and want to fight.”
Ronzio’s group, Toripiubella, regularly reports on crimes committed by local mafia members and provides testimonies in court to support the prosecution of these individuals. She has faced numerous acts of intimidation over the years, including written threats, break-ins at her home and office, and even feces being left at her doorstep. Living in close proximity to the very people she reports has made her work especially dangerous. However, she maintains a sense of detachment, choosing to focus on her mission rather than the personal risks she faces.
Political and Public Reactions
The discovery of the coffin has sparked widespread condemnation. Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, expressed his support for Ronzio on social media, writing, “Solidarity and closeness to Tiziana Ronzio for the horrible threat received today. The precious work that she has been carrying out for years… will certainly not stop in front of intimidation.” Other political leaders, including Tobia Zevi, Rome’s councilor for heritage and housing policies, echoed the sentiment, praising Ronzio’s courage and perseverance.
The Casamonicas’ Infamous Reputation
The Casamonica family is no stranger to public displays of power and intimidation. One of their most infamous moments came in 2015, when they held a lavish public funeral for family patriarch Vittorio Casamonica. Despite the family’s criminal reputation, the funeral procession included a horse-drawn carriage and a helicopter dropping rose petals over the Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood. Police protection was provided for the event, and a brass band played the iconic theme music from The Godfather outside the church.
This public display of mafia power drew widespread criticism, as authorities had previously banned public funerals for other mafia bosses. The Casamonicas’ ability to carry out such a spectacle with impunity highlighted the enduring influence they hold in certain parts of the city.
The family’s involvement in violence and intimidation also extends to more sinister acts. During a 2019 trial, informant Massimiliano Fazzari testified about an incident in which a Casamonica family matriarch, Liliana Casamonica, threatened to dissolve him in acid, a tactic commonly associated with mafia executions. Fazzari’s testimony further revealed the lengths to which the family would go to silence their enemies.
A Continued Fight for Justice
Despite the threats and violence, activists like Ronzio and organizations like Toripiubella continue to fight against the criminal influence of the Casamonica clan. The discovery of the black coffin may have been intended to intimidate, but it has only strengthened the resolve of those who seek to end the mafia’s stranglehold on neighborhoods like Tor Bella Monaca.
As the investigation into the latest threat continues, police are examining the coffin for fingerprints and other evidence. Ronzio’s group has refrained from making any public statements as the inquiry unfolds, but their commitment to fighting for justice remains unwavering.
In a city where the line between mafia influence and everyday life is often blurred, Tiziana Ronzio stands as a symbol of defiance against organized crime. Her work and the support she has received from political leaders and fellow activists demonstrate that even in the face of intimidation, the fight for justice will not be easily silenced.
