Thread by @NickWhithorn

20 August 2011, Maria Concetta (Cetta) Cacciola (31) dies after drinking hydrochloric acid. She had tried to escape from a life of oppression in her family linked to 'ndrangheta but returned out of love for her three children [Thread] >> 1

Cetta is born into a family linked to Pesce-Bellocco clan of 'ndrangheta in Rosarno (Calabria). Her father, Michele, and her brother, Giuseppe, are constantly in & out of prison. She marries at 16 years old, partly to escape her home life & has three children >> 2

It is a loveless relationship. Figliuzzi married her so that he could get into 'ndrangheta. He abuses her. On one occasion, after a particularly violent argument, he threatens her by pointing a pistol at her head >> 3

She seeks help from her father. He simply tells her, "this is your marriage for the rest of your life." These are the rules for women in 'ndrangheta families. In 2005, her husband is sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment for membership of 'ndrangheta but his absence doesn't help >>4

Her family keep her under close control. They live in the same building and restrict Cetta's movements. They have to know exactly where she is all the time. Another strict rule for 'ndrangheta wives: while your husband is in prison, another relationship is unthinkable >> 5

In 2008, Cetta meets a man from Reggio Calabria on Facebook. Despite the close control by her father & brother, she manages to meet the man on several occasions. The relationship remains purely platonic. Then, in June 2010, her family starts to receive anonymous letters >> 6

When faced with the accusations of having a clandestine relationship, Cetta not only admits it but says that she intends to leave her husband. This is too much for her father & brother, who beat her so badly they break her rib >> 7

Obviously, it is out of the question to go to the hospital as they can't trust her to keep quiet, so the family calls a doctor related to the Bellocco family, who treats Cetta until she heals. Now, Cetta's life becomes unbearable >> 8

She rarely leaves the house, which is now equipped with CCTV. When she does go out, she is followed everywhere by her brother or one of her many cousins. She knows she has 'dishonoured' the family & any false move could mean death >> 9

She can see no way out until an opportunity presents itself purely by chance. On 11 May 2011, she receives a call from the local Carabinieri station. They have seized the scooter used by her 14 year old son and she has to be present to sign papers >> 10

Inside the Carabinieri station, on an impulse, she recounts her story: her husband in prison, the anonymous letters, the abuse, the people following her. She talks quickly as her mother constantly phones her to ask where she is >> 11

Before leaving, she tells the Carabinieri that her family will kill her if they discover she has spoken to them. The Carabinieri report to their superiors and they decide to call her to the station again 4 days later, again with the excuse of the scooter >> 12

She says that her father is held back by her mother but her brother, as soon as he has hard evidence of her relationship with another man, will kill both of them. She has thought of going to stay with people she knows in northern Italy but doesn't want to put them in danger >> 13

Over the next few days Carabinieri & magistrates prepare a plan to get Cetta out of Rosarno and place her under protection. For the first time in her life she sees the prospect of an independent life but there is one huge problem...she can't take her children with her >> 14

On the night of 29 May 2011, Cetta is taken from her house in Rosarno by a specialised team of Carabinieri and taken to a farm in Cassano sullo Ionio. She leaves a note for her mother begging her to look after her children and to make sure they have a better life than her >> 15

On 22 June 2011, she is transferred to Bolzano & five days later to Genoa. She's now been away from her children for a month & is feeling lonely. She breaks the first rule for those under protection: she calls home & tells her mother where she is & that she wants to see her >> 16

Her mother & father immediately jump in the car & set off for Genoa. The next evening they arrive & collect Cetta. On the drive back, they bombard Cetta with questions to discover what she has told the magistrates. Her replies shock them >> 17

They hadn't realised how much Cetta knew about her father's & brother's activities. She has even told magistrates about a murder carried out by her brother. All of this is heard by the Carabinieri, who have placed surveillance devices in the family's car >> 18

At first, her parents are furious with her but, realising that they need to keep her on their side, they quickly become conciliatory. They need Cetta to retract all the statements she has made. She soon realises that she is trapped >> 19

They arrive in Reggio Emilia, where they're staying the night with Cetta's mother's cousin. Cetta calls the protection service & asks them to come & get her. Next morning her parents set off for Rosarno without her but they now know she is weak. It's just a matter of time >> 20

While they are still driving back to Rosarno, Cetta's father calls her brother Giuseppe and tells him to contact a lawyer to prepare Cetta's statement retracting all the information she has provided to the authorities >> 21

From that moment on, Cetta's mother calls her every evening. She makes sure Cetta hears her youngest daughter crying. She says she can go wherever she wants with her children, she just needs to leave the protection scheme & retract everything >> 22

On 8 August 2011, Cetta calls her mother and discovers she is on her way to Genova by car with Cetta's other brother, Gregorio, and her youngest daughter. Cetta is horrified. She knows she is not strong enough to resist & tells them to turn back >> 23

She says she has been moved to another city but her mother realises she is lying. She says she will call the protection service but they make her listen to her daughter crying for her and she relents. That evening she gets into the car and returns with them to Rosarno >> 24

On 17 & 18 August, Cetta calls her Carabinieri contact, asking to return under protection but, when he explains what to do, she hesitates & seems uncertain. Meanwhile, her parents have taken her to a lawyer & forced her to record a statement retracting all her accusations >> 25

On 20 August 2011, Cetta's parents arrive at the hospital in Gioia Tauro with Cetta in the car. They say that they found her unconcious on the bathroom floor. She is dead from drinking hydrochloric acid >> 26