Italian police investigate double murder-suicide of family in Finale Ligure
Authorities in Savona discovered the bodies of Daniele Baruzzo, his wife Paola Siri, and their 14-year-old son Mattia after an apparent double murder-suicide in their apartment on 3 September 2026.
Discovery in Finale Ligure
Carabinieri and emergency medical teams discovered three bodies inside an apartment in Finale Ligure, in the province of Savona, on the morning of 3 September 2026. The deceased were identified as Daniele Baruzzo, his 41-year-old wife Paola Siri, and their 14-year-old son Mattia. First responders, including personnel from the Croce Bianca of Borgio Verezzi, the local fire brigade, two ambulances, and a 118 emergency medical vehicle, entered the residence shortly before 12:30. The search began after Baruzzo failed to report for his scheduled work shift, prompting his employer to notify a relative who then contacted law enforcement. Neighbours living in the coastal hillside neighbourhood reported hearing gunshots around midnight during the night leading into Thursday.
Investigation and farewell note
Investigators from the Carabinieri treat the incident as a double murder-suicide carried out with a legally owned handgun. Baruzzo held an active gun permit and frequently practised at a local shooting range. According to early police reconstructions, the father waited until his wife and son were asleep before shooting them and subsequently turning the weapon on himself. Inside the apartment, authorities found a handwritten farewell letter explaining that the killings were linked to internal family difficulties and personal suffering. Investigators reported that the decision was entirely unilateral, as the paper bore no signature, acknowledgment, or consent from either the wife or the son.
- Neighbours report hearing gunshots inside the hillside apartment.
- Baruzzo fails to report for work, leading his employer to alert relatives.
- Emergency personnel and Carabinieri enter the residence and locate three deceased family members.
- Finale FBC halts all youth sector matches and training sessions until Sunday.
Professional background and family life
Baruzzo, whose age is reported as either 50 or 60 depending on sources, worked as a product engineer overseeing programming and new investments in the automotive sector, with accounts citing employment at Engineering Bitron in Savona or Bombardier in Vado. His wife Paola Siri was a homemaker who had been dealing with ongoing health problems. Their son Mattia attended local high school classes while participating in regional sports leagues. Colleagues and acquaintances described Baruzzo as a dedicated parent who attended his son's events and supported his wife through periods of illness.
Community and athletic response
Mattia played football in the Under 15 youth section of local athletic club Finale FBC. Following the discovery of the deaths, club president Candido Cappa and youth sector manager Pier Paolo Gallea expressed grief on behalf of the organisation.
A tragedy has cut short the life of one of our young athletes and has struck the community. We hold close the relatives, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him, sharing in this immense pain. We are heartbroken, incredulous.
Finale FBC subsequently suspended all youth sporting activities, including training sessions and scheduled weekend matches, through Sunday. Local authorities continue forensic examinations at the apartment to establish the complete timeline of the shootings.
