Dad Kills Autistic Son, 2, And Kills Self Out Of Fears For Boys Future

Story By: Sara Zhivkova, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

A father has reportedly strangled his two-year-old autistic son to death before taking his own life because he feared for the boy’s future.

Egidio Battaglia, 43, allegedly murdered his two-year-old son Massimiliano and killed himself by slitting his own throat in the town of Castello di Godego in the Italian province of Treviso.

The tragedy occurred when his wife and mother of the child, Adriana Gargalic, was at work and Battaglia was home alone with his son.

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Local media said the man wrote a two-page note explaining his reasons before he allegedly killed his child and slashed himself with a kitchen knife.

He wrote: “I’m not a monster. I did it to avoid a future of suffering for my son.”

Battaglia’s father reportedly raised the alarm after he could not enter the house. Rescue teams rushed to the scene but Battaglia and his son were already dead.

Newsflash

Little Massimiliano was diagnosed with a cognitive deficit believed to be autism two months ago, and was due for more tests as he developed to confirm he was on the spectrum.

The father’s letter said: “He can’t pronounce our names. He doesn’t even call me dad. Only I see the seriousness of the diagnosis.”

“Maximilian is the best creature to come into this world, but when he is grown up and will no longer have us, what will he do? Better get it over with now before it’s too late.”

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After hearing the news, the mother was reportedly hospitalised in Castelfranco with shock.

The investigation is ongoing.

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