It was his wife who made the macabre discovery, the MEP Francesca Donato, 55 years old, arrived around 2.30 pm, with her twenty-year-old daughter Carolina, in via Ugo La Malfa, in Palermo. Here she found her husband, Honored Angel56 years old, in his car, a dark Range Rover, with his seatbelt still on, with his head down and a strap tightened around his neck. Blood splatters on his chest. The woman starts screaming and asking for help. A man who passes by in his car stops and thinks that the victim has fallen ill. But then he sees the band and that blood and understands that something has happened. Francesca Donato calls for help and tells her friends in tears: “They killed me, they killed Angelo…”. The Scientific Police arrives, with the medical examiner for the first findings. An aluminum blanket is placed on Angelo Onorato’s body to cover his face.
We are looking for footprints, we are looking for clues to understand what could have happened. At the moment all leads are open, but the most probable hypothesis seems to be that of murder. Angelo Onorato had an appointment in the late morning and was then expected at home for lunch.
A friend of Onorato was interviewed in the offices of the Palermo Flying Squad. According to rumors, the friend, who is a lawyer, would be in possession of a letter signed by the victim.
This morning the entrepreneur he was supposed to meet someone to talk about an economic dispute. The husband of MEP Francesca Donato allegedly complained to some friends that he had gods problems because he was unable to collect debts. Investigators are sifting through messages and phone calls from the last 24 hours.
The reconstruction
Around 2pm Francesca Donato and her twenty-year-old daughter Carolina called Onorato several times but he didn’t answer. The MEP is worried. And she searches for her husband’s position on her cell phone via GPS. So she and her daughter reach via Ugo La Malfa, a link to the ring road. The seatbelt is still on, the rear door is half open. And the man has been dead for at least two hours, it seems. Deputy Prosecutor Ennio Petrigni also arrives on site, with the prosecutor on duty. They hear from Francesca Donato and her daughter to understand the latest movements of the entrepreneur, known throughout Sicily and owner of two furniture shops.
“I can tell you that as a former medical examiner who has seen thousands of deaths for forty years, I don’t believe in the hypothesis of suicide. I think that Angelo Onorato was killed”, regional councilor for the Family of Sicily Nuccia Albano tells Adnkronos , a friend of the Onorato family, who arrived at the site where the body was found. “I am in disbelief and speechless.” Giacomo Grilletto, an employee of Onorato’s company says: “This morning he came out around ten and was laughing, he was happy”.
Two friends arrive and start crying in silence. “Last night we were at the tennis club dancing and we had a lot of fun. I can’t believe he’s dead. Who knows what happened…” says someone who then goes to hug Francesca Donato. The municipal councilor Giuliano Forzinetti, also a DC, also arrives.
On Facebook there are numerous friends who write on Onorato’s profile. “I am speechless. Until last night we met at the club party”, writes Gabriella. And another: “You were an extraordinary person, always kind and helpful to everyone.” “An absurd death. I hope these damned people pay dearly”, adds Frank. “It’s not fair. They took away the love of your family.” “What have they done to you?????!!!! Wonderful man,” writes another friend.
Investigators are trying to understand if the murder hypothesis holds up. Although the hypothesis of suicide also remains open. The autopsy will clarify the causes of the man’s death. The investigations last until late afternoon, when the body is taken away from the car. The road remains closed to car traffic throughout the afternoon.
“The Christian Democrats gather around Francesca Donato, Salvatore and Carolina, with friendship, with affection, in prayer as they experience the drama. There is only so much pain, discouragement and dismay. His generous desire to live the gift of his smile indelible in our eyes”, says Totò Cuffaro, national secretary of the Christian Democracy, after learning of Onorato’s death. Just like many other politicians who offer condolences to politicians, you were elected with the League at the last European elections. (by Elvira Terranova)
