Italian Stabbed Older Sister To Death And Dumped Body In Woods In Row Over Money

A young Italian has confessed to stabbing his big sister to death and dumping her body in the woods in a suspected row over money.

After initially providing conflicting versions of events, Giovanni Francesco Di Prima, 22, reportedly confessed to killing his older sister Lucrezia Di Prima, 37, during questioning.

The woman was reported missing from the comune of San Giovanni La Punta in the Italian region of Sicily by her boyfriend on Friday, 15th October.

Lucrezia Di Prima, 37, who was allegedly killed by her brother Giovanni Di Prima, 22, who then hid her body in the countryside of Nicolosi in Sicily, Italy. (@lucrezia.diprima.56/Newsflash)

The suspect also told the police where he had dumped his sister’s body in a wooded area in the nearby comune of Nicolosi the following day, according to local reports.

Her body was found with multiple stab wounds, principally in the neck.

Despite allegedly confessing to the crime, Giovanni did not reveal his motive to the police.

Giovanni Di Prima, 22, (left) who allegedly killed his sister Lucrezia Di Prima, 37, and hid her body in the countryside of Nicolosi in Sicily, photographed with an unidentified person. (@giovanni.diprima.169/Newsflash)

However, investigators now believe the killing was motivated by money and have suggested the suspect killed his sister during a row after she either refused to lend him cash, or was unable to return cash she had borrowed from him.

The police have also revealed they found the suspected murder weapon, a large hunting knife, hidden in the garage of the family home in San Giovanni La Punta where the killing allegedly took place.

Local media, including the news website Fanpage.it, reported that Giovanni had studied at the local technical school and had even travelled abroad as part of the Erasmus programme.

Lucrezia Di Prima, 37, who was allegedly killed by her brother Giovanni Di Prima, 22, who then hid her body in the countryside of Nicolosi in Sicily, Italy. (@lucrezia.diprima.56/Newsflash)

However, reports said he had lately become something of a loner, shunning his few remaining friendships and living largely within the confines of his bedroom.

The police cannot say for certain they have ascertained the correct motive and they are continuing to investigate the case.

The suspect remains in preventive custody for aggravated murder and concealment of a corpse.