Thread by @NickWhithorn

26 July 1992, exactly a week after the via D'Amelio bombing, which killed Paolo Borsellino and five police protection officers on Sunday 19 July 1992, Rita Atria (17) commits suicide, effectively the seventh victim of the bomb attack. This is her story [Thread] >> 1

Rita is born into a mafia family in Partanna (Sicily) in 1974. When she is 11 years old, her father Vito is killed by a rival mafia group in an ambush. After this, she becomes much closer to her older brother Pietro (also a mafioso) & his wife Piera Aiello >> 2

Through her brother, Rita learns of all the dealings of the mafia in Partanna, the names of her father's killers, who controls the drug business and so on. Even her boyfriend is involved with the mafia, collecting protection money on their behalf from local businesses >> 3

In June 1991, Rita's brother meets the same fate as his father, gunned down by rivals. His wife, Piera Aiello is present at the shooting and recognises his killers. Instead of following the law of 'omertà', she decides to go to the police >> 4

In July 1991, Piera & her children are moved to a secret location. Rita is left completely alone, repudiated by both her boyfriend, because of her sister-in-law's "betrayal", and by her mother, with whom she never got on, because of the dishonour brought on the family >> 5

In November 1991, Rita decides to follow her sister-in-law's example. She has kept a diary with details of mafia dealings recounted by her brother and boyfriend. Judge Paolo Borsellino is assigned to take her statements and investigate the numerous crimes Rita details >> 6

Between them, Rita Atria & Piera Aiello throw light on the workings of the mafia in the Valle del Belice area & over 30 murders carried out in the war between the Ingoglia & Accardo clans, as well as corrupt dealings of Vincenzino Culicchia, Mayor of Partanna for 30+ years >> 7

Rita is transferred to Rome, moving frequently from one house to another for her protection. She is completely alone. Despite the efforts of Paolo Borsellino, her mother refuses to accept Rita's decision to cooperate and they will never see each other again >> 8

The only person Rita sees, albeit occasionally, is Paolo Borsellino, who visits her every time he is in Rome for work. He becomes a sort of father figure to her, the only person she can trust. When Borsellino is killed on 19 July 1992, she is distraught >> 9

One week later, on Sunday 26 July 1992, aged just 17, Rita Atria commits suicide, throwing herself off the balcony of the 7th floor flat she occupies in Rome. Her mother never forgives her "betrayal" and even destroys the headstone on her grave in Partanna with a hammer >> 10

Rita's sister-in-law, Piera Aiello, assumes a new identity, maintaining it until 2018, when she is elected to the Italian Parliament in the Marsala constituency with the Movimento Cinque Stelle (she has since left M5S & sits as an independent) >> 11

Rita Atria wrote in her diary, "Before fighting the mafia you have to examine your own conscience and then, after defeating the mafia inside you, you can fight the mafia you find around you; ... Borsellino, you died for what you believed in, but without you I am dead." >> 12

Rita Atria
b. 4 September 1974, Partanna
d. 26 July 1992, Rome