100% of female victims in central Italy killed with sharp weapons: Family homicides in the week of february 19-25, 2026

Edited by: Tiziana Calzone, Massimo Lattanzi, and Federico Maroli. Reference Institutions: Italian Association of Psychology and Criminology (AIPC), Italian Center for Relational Psychotraumatology (CIPR), National Observatory on Family Homicides (ONOF).

Abstract

This study analyzes the incidence of family crimes between February 19 and 25, 2026, through the lens of relational psychotraumatology. The investigation focuses on emotional dysregulation and the breach of the window of tolerance as precursors to violent "acting out"—a dynamic frequently observed in individuals with C-PTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). By applying the scientific VERA protocol, a clinical risk assessment is conducted based on the quality of bonds and the degree of familiarity. Data were collected via OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), analyzing news reports to trace clinical and statistical profiles.

Methodology: The OSINT System

Data collection for the week of February 19–25, 2026, utilized the OSINT system, monitoring information from news outlets rather than institutional sources. In this context, "family crimes" include homicides, attempted homicides, and suicides/attempted suicides among individuals linked by various levels of familiarity: kinship, affective relationships, or simple acquaintance.

Case of the week

An emblematic case involved a homicide resulting from a dispute between young adults over relational issues. The victim, a 22-year-old man, was fatally struck with a sharp weapon by a 23-year-old acquaintance in Rome. From a relational psychotraumatology perspective, the event demonstrates a typical impulsive "acting out," where the loss of control is attributable to a sudden exit from the window of tolerance during an acute interpersonal conflict.

Profiles of family homicide victims

1. Male victim profile

• Gender: Male (50% of homicide victims).
• Age: Equally distributed between 18–35 (50%) and 54–71 (50%).
• Familiarity: 100% Acquaintances.
• Geographical distribution: Split between North (50%) and Central Italy (50%).
• Weapon used: Sharp weapon (50%) or other methods (50%).

2. Female victim profile

• Gender: Female (50% of homicide victims).
• Age: Total prevalence in the 36–53 age group (100%).
• Familiarity: Split between relatives (50%) and acquaintances (50%).
• Geographical distribution: 100% Central Italy.
• Weapon used: 100% Sharp weapon.

Profile of the alleged perpetrator

• Gender: 100% Male.
• Age: Prevalence in the 18–35 age group (50%).
• Familiarity: Predominantly Acquaintances (75%).
• Geographical distribution: 75% Central Italy.
• Weapon used: 75% Sharp weapon.

Analysis of attempted homicides

For the week of February 19–25, 2026, attempted homicides show specific gender and relational characteristics:

• Victims: 100% Male (n=2).
• Perpetrators: 100% Male (n=2).
• Familiarity: Violence occurred between relatives (50%) and acquaintances (50%).
• Geography: Cases equally distributed between North (50%) and Central Italy (50%).
• Weapon: In both cases (100%), a sharp weapon was used.

From a clinical perspective, the systematic use of sharp weapons suggests an immediate attack response, typical of emotional dysregulation that bypasses the mediation of critical thinking.

Support and research

The prevention of family homicides requires specialized clinical pathways and the integration of advanced methodologies like biofeedback. You can concretely contribute to our work:

• 5x1000: Tax Code (C.F.) 97238660589
• Donations: IBAN AIPC IT83I0760103200000056039688

Conclusion

Data analysis from February 19–25, 2026, highlights that severe "acting out" is the result of emotional dysregulation in subjects with a reduced window of tolerance, typical of C-PTSD. The VERA protocol remains essential for clinical risk assessment, allowing for the analysis of the familiarity variable and preventive intervention regarding impulse control dynamics.

Contacts and support:

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