Two brothers detained over fatal beating of bodyguard outside Calabrian nightclub

The attack

Antonio Perrotta, a 34-year-old resident of Fuscaldo in the province of Cosenza, was beaten outside the "Il Castello" nightclub in Sangineto in the night between August 8 and 9, 2026. According to investigators' initial reconstruction, a dispute over trivial motives erupted inside the venue between Perrotta and two men. The confrontation then moved outside, degenerating into a beating. Perrotta was struck repeatedly, including with a helmet, and sustained severe brain injuries.

After the assault, Perrotta managed to return home, but his condition worsened. He was taken to the emergency room at Cetraro hospital, where he told medical staff he had suffered a fall. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Annunziata hospital in Cosenza. Doctors attempted a series of interventions, but the brain injuries proved fatal. Perrotta died shortly after 6 AM.

The investigation

The Paola prosecutor's office, under prosecutor Domenico Fiordalisi, opened a case for aggravated homicide motivated by trivial reasons. Investigations were conducted by the Cosenza flying squad, the Diamante police station, and Carabinieri from the Paola and Scalea companies. Two brothers, aged 20 and 21, originally from Belvedere Marittimo but living and working abroad, were identified as suspects. They were traced to Belvedere Marittimo through surveillance camera footage and witness testimonies from people present that night. The two were placed under pre-charge detention on August 11 and were being interrogated by the prosecutor.

Investigators are still working to pinpoint the exact location of the beating, as the area outside the nightclub includes parking lots, private homes, and agricultural fields. According to investigators, more than two people of varying ages may have participated in the assault.

The victim and the venue

Perrotta worked as a factory worker at Italbacolor in Fuscaldo and had taken on private security work at night to earn extra income for his family. He leaves behind a partner and four children, including a daughter born a few months ago. The nightclub's management stated on social media that Perrotta was not part of their staff and offered full cooperation, providing internal and perimeter surveillance footage. They claimed no violent episode occurred inside the club or in its parking area, assertions that investigators are verifying against witness accounts and other footage.

Official reactions

The questore of Cosenza, Antonio Borrelli, suspended the nightclub's license for 15 days, citing the need to prevent a continuing situation of social danger and protect public order. The mayor of Fuscaldo, Giacomo Middea, announced a day of municipal mourning for the funeral, with flags at half-mast and businesses asked to close.

One cannot die like this

The mayor of Sangineto, Michele Guardia, cancelled all events in the municipality. Perrotta's mother made an anguished appeal.

Let justice be done, they killed him

Ugo Vetere, mayor of Santa Maria del Cedro, noted that other violent episodes had accompanied nightlife on the Cosenza Tyrrhenian coast in recent weeks. Antonio De Caprio, regional councillor and secretary of the anti-'ndrangheta commission, called for firm action against all forms of violence and criminality.