A shocking tragedy has rocked Italy after a 29-year-old model was found dead on a balcony in Milan. She was reportedly stabbed 24 times by her former boyfriend. The horrifying incident has left neighbors and friends in disbelief, describing a night filled with screams, panic, and bloodshed.
A Night of Terror in Milan
It was around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14. Terrified residents in the quiet Gorla neighborhood of Milan heard desperate screams echoing through the street. The cries came from the top floor of an apartment building where model Pamela Genini lived.
Italian outlets Il Fatto Quotidiano and Il Giorno reported a significant detail. They stated that Pamela’s ex-boyfriend, Gianluca Soncin, 52, was inside her apartment that night. Moments later, neighbors heard shouting and the sound of chaos erupting on the balcony. Some tried to break down the door while calling police for help.
When officers arrived, they found a horrifying scene—Pamela lay motionless on the terrace, her body covered in stab wounds. Investigators say she was stabbed 24 times in the neck, chest, back, and arms.
The Killer Turned the Knife on Himself
Authorities say Soncin didn’t stop there. After the brutal attack, he allegedly plunged the knife into his own throat twice just as police stormed in. He survived and was rushed to Milan’s Niguarda Hospital, where he remains under guard. Doctors say his injuries are not life-threatening.
Sources told Il Giorno that Soncin used a copied key to enter Pamela’s apartment without her permission. He had allegedly duplicated the key weeks earlier when their relationship began to fall apart.
A Desperate Call Before Death
In a chilling twist, Pamela was reportedly on the phone with another former boyfriend. This happened at the very moment Soncin entered her home. The man, realizing something was terribly wrong, called the police right away.
When officers first knocked on the door, Pamela reportedly tried to calm Soncin down, telling him it was “just a food delivery.” But it was already too late. By the time police forced their way in, the young woman was gravely wounded.
Signs of Trouble Before the Attack
Those close to Pamela told investigators the relationship between her and Soncin had been strained for weeks. Friends said she wanted to end things, but he refused to let go. According to prosecutors, there were signs of stalking and abuse leading up to the attack.
“She was afraid of him,” one friend reportedly told police. “He followed her everywhere and didn’t want her to see anyone else.”
Prosecutor Alessia Menegazzo confirmed that witnesses described a pattern of harassment and threats. Evidence gathered so far paints a picture of a jealous and controlling man who could not accept rejection.
The Model’s Promising Life Cut Short
Pamela Genini wasn’t just a beautiful face. Friends describe her as ambitious, kind, and full of dreams. She worked as a model and was starting to gain attention in Italy’s fashion scene. Those who knew her say she had plans to move to another city. She wanted to start fresh and escape her troubled relationship.
“Pamela had her whole life ahead of her,” said one of her colleagues. “She was finally feeling happy again, and then this happened.”
Neighbors recalled seeing her walking her small dog in the courtyard just hours before her death. No one could have imagined that by nightfall, her life would end so violently.
The Investigation and Charges
Italian police have opened an investigation into aggravated homicide, one of the country’s most serious criminal charges. Prosecutors confirmed Soncin has chosen to remain silent under questioning.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from the building and nearby streets to determine the timeline of events. Forensic teams spent hours collecting evidence from the apartment and balcony, where blood still stained the tiles.
According to early reports, the number of stab wounds suggests uncontrolled rage, often linked to crimes of passion. The attack’s brutality has shocked even veteran investigators.
Domestic Violence at the Center of the Case
This case has once again drawn attention to the growing issue of femicide and domestic violence in Italy. Just last year, dozens of women were killed by partners or ex-partners in similar cases of obsession and jealousy.
Advocates say Pamela’s death is another tragic reminder that warning signs often go ignored until it’s too late.
“We keep seeing the same pattern,” said one local women’s rights activist. “Control, isolation, threats—and then violence. Pamela tried to break free, and she paid with her life.”
What Happens Next
As Soncin recovers under police watch, prosecutors prepare to formally charge him in the coming days. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for Pamela on social media. Friends, fellow models, and fans have flooded her pages with messages of love and heartbreak.
- “You didn’t deserve this.”
- “He took away your light.”
- “Justice for Pamela.”
A candlelight vigil is being organized in Milan this week. It aims to honor her memory. It also seeks to raise awareness for victims of domestic abuse.
A Nation in Mourning
Pamela Genini’s death has shaken Italy to its core. Her story—of beauty, ambition, and love gone wrong—has struck a chord with people everywhere. Many are asking how a young woman could die so violently after showing clear signs of fear and distress.
Her final moments were filled with panic and pain. They are now at the center of a national conversation. This conversation focuses on protecting women from abusive partners.
“She screamed for help,” a neighbor told local reporters. “We heard her, but we couldn’t get to her in time.”
Those haunting words echo across the city as Italy mourns another victim of intimate partner violence.
If You Need Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.
All calls are free and confidential, available 24 hours a day in over 170 languages.
