Milan Stabbing: Decades-Long Relationship Ended in Fatal Violence
A 62-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in her Milan apartment by a 64-year-old man, marking a tragic end to a relationship spanning over four decades and revealing a descent into escalating conflict. The incident, which occurred on Via Grassini in a cooperative housing complex on the northern outskirts of the city, has shocked the local community and prompted a murder investigation.
Luciana Ronchi, the victim, was attacked by Luigi Morcaldi, her former partner of nearly 40 years. According to investigators, Morcaldi is currently being held in San Vittore prison and has admitted to the crime, citing a breakdown in their relationship and her subsequent happiness with a new partner as contributing factors.
The couple’s story began in 1978, with a shared life officially commencing in 1985. For twenty years, they resided in the cooperative housing where the tragedy unfolded. Their early years were marked by entrepreneurial spirit, initially running a brewery together before transitioning to a bar-pizzeria in the Bovisa neighborhood until 2010. The closure of the business appears to have been a pivotal moment, coinciding with the beginning of a prolonged period of discord.
“Maybe Luigi couldn’t bear to see her happy,” a neighbor shared, reflecting the sentiment of many who observed Ronchi’s apparent revitalization after the separation. The relationship deteriorated significantly around 2012, with Morcaldi facing unemployment while Ronchi secured employment at a local RSA (assisted living facility).
The situation reportedly devolved into frequent arguments characterized by shouting, accusations, and even physical violence. “Sometimes – admitted the ex, who will now have to answer for the charge of aggravated murder – also pushing and slapping.” Despite these issues, the couple continued to cohabitate for another ten years before finally separating in 2022, with Morcaldi subsequently moving out.
Those who knew Ronchi describe a woman who had rebuilt her life and found joy again. “He was always kind, sweet. She was loved,” one neighbor stated, adding that she was “always elegant, well-groomed,” particularly in recent months. She had begun a new relationship, a source of apparent anguish for Morcaldi, who reportedly wrote in a note found in his car that the new partner had “taken your mother and my life.”
The victim’s son, Andrea, 28, had reportedly severed ties with his father but maintained a close relationship with his mother. He had previously worked alongside her in a local fruit and vegetable shop. Ronchi’s life was also enriched by her two grandchildren and fond memories of her dog, Mia, who passed away last year.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities meticulously examining the evidence and piecing together the events leading up to the fatal stabbing. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic conflict and the importance of seeking help when relationships reach a breaking point.
