Two sisters found safe in San Cataldo store 24 hours after disappearance

Disappearance on Corso Vittorio Emanuele

Two sisters, 12-year-old Benedetta Costanza and 8-year-old Domitilla Costanza, went missing on the evening of Friday, 18 September 2026, in San Cataldo, in the province of Caltanissetta. Their father, Alessandro Costanza, left the family home around 20:00 to purchase bread accompanied by his ten-year-old son. He instructed the two girls to wait for their return at the residence on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. When the father returned shortly afterward, both daughters were absent from the property. An appeal published by the family indicated that the last confirmed sighting of the girls occurred at approximately 20:10. Benedetta did not have a mobile telephone because her previous device had broken and was awaiting replacement.

Before contacting law enforcement, the father conducted a preliminary search around the neighbourhood.

At first I thought of a prank, then it became anxiety and fear.

Missing persons report and search mobilisation

On Saturday morning, 19 September 2026, Alessandro Costanza presented a formal missing persons report at the Carabinieri station in San Cataldo. Costanza, who cares for six children following a custody arrangement during separation from his former wife, informed officers that no prior conflicts or behavioural changes suggested a voluntary departure. The family launched public appeals on social media platforms, noting that both girls are active in the local community and attend catechism classes. Carabinieri and state police units initiated immediate ground searches throughout the town. Teams from the Vigili del Fuoco and volunteers from the Protezione Civile deployed to assist the emergency effort. Investigators also acquired surveillance recordings from private and public security cameras across Corso Vittorio Emanuele to track the children's movements.

Discovery in local clothing store

A coordination meeting took place at the Caltanissetta Prefecture at 17:30 on Saturday to evaluate the multi-agency search efforts. During this period, Protezione Civile volunteers responded to a direct notification from a local woman. The woman reported discovering both girls inside the bathroom of a clothing store operated by Chinese proprietors near their residence. Emergency personnel and volunteers entered the commercial premises and confirmed the safe retrieval of Benedetta and Domitilla Costanza. The discovery ended a search operation that lasted almost 24 hours from their initial disappearance on Friday evening.

Investigation into the circumstances

Investigators in Caltanissetta and San Cataldo are working to establish the timeline of events between Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Authorities are examining whether the two sisters remained locked inside the retail business throughout the entire night. During initial interviews, the children stated to investigators that other individuals took them and transported them directly into the shop. Law enforcement personnel are questioning witnesses, reviewing store operations, and examining physical evidence to determine whether the incident involved an intentional runaway, accidental entrapment, or criminal coercion.