A disguised murder
Four people were killed in two separate incidents, both in Northwestern Switzerland, resulting in four dead. It was confirmed only a year later that these were not relationship crimes, but rather mafia reckonings by the Italian mob.
In 1992, almost an entire Italian family was wiped out on one day – the father, mother and daughter were all shot dead. Only the son survived, but was heavily traumatised. Perpetrator Alan*, also Italian, fled, hid and tried to kill himself. He survived, but was seriously injured. During questioning, he stated that he was in love with the daughter, but she had rejected him. That is why he committed the crime.
The homicides were determined to be a relationship-related crime.
Really?
Some details did not jive with a crime of passion. The investigators became suspicious, and had doubts about the motive. Even so, a connection with the mafia could not be established.
A few months later, another homicide was committed in the same area. Carlo*, also Italian, shot three brothers after a heated exchange of words. Two survived with injuries, and one was killed by several shots to the head. A few days later, Carlo turned himself in to the police. Here, too, it was determined that the crime was relationship related.
Once again, the circumstances of the crime cast considerable doubt on the possibility of a ‘relationship crime’. The same gun was used to commit both crimes – this established a connection between the two homicide cases. Carlo had apparently lent the gun to Alan and given Alan shooting lessons before committing his own crime.
Carlo was convicted of murder and aiding and abetting. He was sent to prison.
Case closed.
Years later, without being asked about the case, an Italian man made statements to the police that raised eyebrows. They referred to the two homicide cases committed in the same year in Northwestern Switzerland, and suggested that each murder was a reckoning, not a relationship-related crime.
Thanks to this source, we now know that the perpetrators were deeply involved in a tight-knit mafia network. Even so, the prosecution authorities were satisfied with the ostensible motive of a ‘relationship crime’. Any further investigations were discontinued.
A motive was found and the perpetrators were convicted. Case closed.
Even today, the search for the true motives of a homicide is often difficult. But thanks to crime analysis, we currently see and know much more about the Italian mafia in Switzerland. Is it a coincidence that a source confirmed earlier doubts only years later? No, a thorough police investigation builds a case making such coincidences possible.
*Names changed for privacy reasons.
Taking a closer look
Italian mafias have no qualms about committing murder, even in Switzerland. Since they like to act discreetly and want to remain unrecognised, they often disguise homicides as relationship-related crimes, accidents or suicides.
If an offense occurs in a canton, it is often difficult for local law enforcement agencies to identify any links to the mafia in another canton or abroad. They lack the big picture. That is why the intercantonal and international exchange of information is crucial, with fedpol as the hub of networking.
Seeing more and knowing more is possible today thanks to crime analysis. We have increasingly precise information about the structures of the various mafias and about their modus operandi in Switzerland. More and more data is ending up on the internet. Digitalisation helps produce a more detailed picture of the situation, bringing many of the mafia’s ‘secrets’ to light.
The goal of investigating crime is to search for the truth. Law enforcement that actively seeks the true motives in crime committed by the mafia can prevent the mafia operatives from creating their own narrative behind lies and smokescreens. We are committed to breaking the power of the Italian mafia and to making life difficult for them in Switzerland, for the sake of security in our country. Our efforts also aim to support the large Italian diaspora, which has been living in our country for years, is very well integrated and is an upstanding part of our society.