A suspected drug-related debt dispute is believed to be behind the murder of 31-year-old Albanian Denaldo Maxhallaku in Italy. A 29-year-old Italian man has admitted responsibility for the incident to investigators, claiming he acted out of fear for himself and his family. After the murder, he is suspected of hiding the Albanian’s body in a well and setting fire to his car in an attempt to cover up the crime.
According to data published by Italian media, Denaldo Maxhallaku disappeared on the evening of October 8, after leaving his apartment in Gatteo a Mare, telling his wife that he was going to a bar and would return later. Since that evening, the family had not heard from him.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the 31-year-old met with the 29-year-old Italian at the latter’s apartment. During the meeting, it is suspected that an argument broke out between them over a drug-related debt, which ended with the use of a firearm.
During questioning, the suspect admitted his involvement in the incident, claiming that he had felt threatened.
“I was afraid for myself and my family,” he is reported to have told investigators.
After the murder, according to the preliminary reconstruction of the event, the Albanian’s body was transported and hidden in a concrete well in the Felloniche area, in Longiano. His vehicle was burned, suspected to eliminate evidence that could lead to the perpetrator.
The body was found after more than 20 days of searching.
Denaldo Maxhallaku’s car was found burned on the morning of October 9, a few kilometers from where his body was later discovered. This discovery became one of the important investigation leads for the Italian carabinieri, who searched rural areas, canals and wells for days.
On October 28, the 31-year-old’s body was found in a well in the Longianos area, about ten meters deep and submerged in water. The operation to extract him required the intervention of firefighters and specialized teams.
Near the site where the body was found, authorities also seized two pistol casings. An autopsy is expected to help determine the exact cause of death and verify the circumstances of the crime.
Denaldo Maxhallaku worked as a painter and lived in Gatteo a Mare. He left behind his wife and their one-year-old daughter. In her testimony to the media, his wife described him as a man dedicated to his family and work, who loved his daughter very much.
The 29-year-old Italian has been detained and is expected to face legal proceedings to validate the detention. In the meantime, investigations continue to fully clarify the motive and dynamics of the murder, while criminal responsibility will be determined by the Italian judiciary./Top Channel