True crime dramas have something so intriguing about them that you cannot help but get glued to your screens for hours.
Netflix’s The Monster of Florence is one such similar crime drama series with spine-chilling cases inspired by real-life incidents.
Stefano Mele, the husband of Barbara Locci, one of the early victims, was one of the many lives altered by the mystery forever.
But who was Stefano Mele, and what really happened to him? Let’s find out!
Who Was Stefano Mele?
Stefano Mele, born on January 13, 1919, in a small Sardinian town in Italy named Fordongianus. His early life wasn’t easy, his mother passed away from pneumonia when he was very young, and he grew up in a blended family with several siblings and step-siblings.
He wasn’t a strong student and left school after the third grade. Like many in his generation, he turned to hard labor to survive.
Stefano has worked so many jobs throughout these years, like farmhand, bricklayer, shepherd, and miner. His work took him all over Italy as he moved from one town to another looking for opportunities.
How Did Stefano Mele Meet Barbara Locci?
Stefano met Barbara Locci in the late 1950s. Barbara was almost 20 years younger than him. The two fell in love and got married on December 28, 1959, in San Casciano Val di Pesa. They soon settled in La Capannuccia, near Florence, and welcomed a son, Natalino, on Christmas Day in 1961.
But their marriage was far from happy. According to reports, Barbara was known for having several romantic affairs, including with Giovanni and Salvatore Vinci, and later with a man named Francesco Vinci.
Despite the rumors, Stefano seemed to tolerate her behavior for some time, even as tension between them grew.
What Happened on the Night of Barbara Locci’s Murder?
By 1968, Barbara was involved with yet another man, Antonio Lo Bianco. That summer, Barbara and Antonio were found murdered inside a car, while her little son Natalino, was discovered alive in the backseat. Suspicion immediately fell on Stefano Mele, Barbara’s husband.
Before surrendering, Stefano revealed so many conflicting stories. He accepted that he was behind Barbara and Antonio’s murder. He was jealous of them. In 1970, he was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Why Did Investigators Doubt Stefano Mele’s Confession?
However, as time passed, investigators began to notice something unusual, other couples had been murdered in similar ways in the Florence area. This led to theories regarding the real killer. There were doubts regarding Stefano being framed as a scapegoat to distract attention from the real culprit.
While in prison, Stefano changed his story multiple times. He later said that he had been pressured and blackmailed into confessing by Salvatore Vinci, one of his wife’s former lovers. This new claim, combined with the discovery of similar murders, led the authorities to reexamine his case.
After the investigation found other suspects related to the murder mysteries, Stefano was released due to a lack of evidence.
How Did Stefano Mele Spend His Final Years?
After his release, Stefano lived a quiet and lonely life. He reportedly stayed in a hospice for ex-prisoners in Ronco all’Adige, Italy. Years of hardship and poor health took their toll on him.
In February 1995, at the age of 76, Stefano underwent surgery for a hernia but suffered severe complications. He died shortly afterward from a heart attack on February 16, 1995.
You may also be interested in reading Where is Alina Thompson Now?
Final Thoughts
Even today, Stefano Mele is remembered due to one of Italy’s most notorious unsolved mysteries. While we may never know if he was guilty or just an innocent man who accepted responsibility out of fear, anything we know about this case is a sad commentary on the trouble and uncertainty of the Monster of Florence case.
Stefano lived and died with so many unknowns, and it is this association with Italy’s horrific crimes that has fascinated true crime fans even a few decades after his passing.
