In Italy, the concept of "mammoni" – adult men who remain at home, often well into their 30s, relying on their mothers for cooking and cleaning – is a recognized cultural phenomenon. So, the news that 61-year-old nurse Lorena Venier from Gemona del Friuli, northeastern Italy, murdered her 35-year-old son Alessandro on 25/7 has shocked many. Venier dismembered Alessandro's body, covered it with lime, and placed it in a bin.

Lorena Venier (floral shirt) and her daughter-in-law Mailyn were arrested. Photo: Telegraph

Lorena Venier (floral shirt) and her daughter-in-law Mailyn were arrested. Photo: Telegraph

Last week, during her first hearing, Venier confessed to the crime. She explained to prosecutors that she had raised Alessandro alone for over 30 years after being abandoned by her husband. Alessandro struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and had become increasingly aggressive towards her, his 30-year-old wife Malyn, and their 6-month-old daughter. He was unemployed, contributed nothing to the household, and lived off his mother.

He had recently been talking about taking his wife and child back to her native Colombia. Venier feared that without her presence, Alessandro might harm Malyn and her granddaughter. She considered Malyn like her own daughter.

"Malyn was beaten, insulted, and repeatedly threatened with death," Venier said, weeping. "My son disregarded her postpartum depression. Alessandro was violent, and Mailyn's life was in danger." She added that she couldn't allow them to go to Colombia because she believed they would face significant dangers there.

Venier claimed she committed the crime as the "only way to stop him." On 25/7, she and her daughter-in-law gave Alessandro a glass of lemonade laced with sedatives and injected him with two doses of insulin she had taken from the hospital. An insulin overdose can lead to coma, irreversible brain damage, and death.

On 31/7, unable to keep the secret any longer, Malyn contacted emergency services. She confessed that her husband had been murdered by his mother and that his remains could be found in a bin in the garage.

Forensic team at the scene. Photo: Telegraph

Forensic team at the scene. Photo: Telegraph

At the hearing, Venier expressed surprise that her daughter-in-law had confessed.

Venier is being held on charges of murder and concealing a body. Malyn is accused of inciting murder. Their 6-month-old daughter is currently in the care of social services in Gemona.

Venier's lawyer has requested a psychiatric evaluation for his client.

Renowned British criminologist David Wilson described the case as highly unusual. In Western countries, only 10% of murders are committed by women, making this case a statistical anomaly.

Tomorrow, judges, lawyers, and forensic experts will meet to determine when to conduct the autopsy. A trial date has not yet been set.

Hai Thu (Telegraph)