Police in Italy have seized a 63-year-old man for stabbing his 29-year-old wife to death in a frenzied attack after the mum of four apparently jilted him.

Officers from the Provincial Command of Trapani arrested knifeman Ernesto Favara at the couple’s home in Marinella di Selinunte, Castelvetrano, Sicily, on 24th December.

At the time of his arrest, he was covered in blood and still had the murder weapon in his hand, local media reported.

Paramedics were also called to the home but were unable to save the life of victim Maria Amatuzzo, who had been stabbed at least 12 times in the abdomen.

Favara, who works as a fisherman and a junk dealer, was taken in for questioning but exercised his right to remain silent.

The motive for the crime remains unclear, but preliminary findings suggest he killed Maria, who was 34 years his junior, after she apparently walked out on him.

Local media reported that she had left the home a few days earlier and had returned to pick up some belongings when the horror unfolded.

The couple had reportedly been living together for more than five years and had twin daughters aged four. Maria also had two children from a previous marriage.

The children have been living in a children’s shelter for almost a year, carabinieri said.

Favara also has two children from a previous marriage, which ended when his wife died from an illness.

According to preliminary findings, Maria, who was originally from Palermo, tried to flee from her furious attacker during the onslaught.

However, she was unable to escape as Favara stabbed her repeatedly and without mercy with a kitchen knife.

Police Captain Pietro Calabro told local media: “The conflict between the two was known.”

Carabinieri are investigating the case and Favara has been remanded in custody.