Salvatore Raimondi, convicted for his role in the 2006 kidnapping of 18-month-old Tommaso Onofri, has been released from prison after serving his sentence. His release closes a dark chapter in one of Italy’s most disturbing criminal cases, which gripped the nation nearly two decades ago.
Raimondi was convicted in connection with the abduction of Tommaso Onofri from his family’s home in Casalbaroncolo, near Parma, on March 2, 2006. Authorities later found the child’s body on April 1 of the same year. Although Raimondi was not held responsible for the child’s death, he played a direct role in the kidnapping and received a 20-year sentence.
The child’s murder was later attributed to Mario Alessi, who confessed and is now serving a life sentence. Antonella Conserva, Alessi’s partner, is serving 24 years for her role in planning the crime. Raimondi, who initially remained silent, eventually confessed and cooperated with investigators, revealing key details of the plot.
Additional sentence and semi-liberty before release
He completed his primary sentence in 2022 but remained in prison due to an unrelated 2018 conviction for extorting another inmate. That additional sentence extended his incarceration by three and a half years. Raimondi was granted early release benefits and had been on a semi-liberty program, allowing him to work outside the prison during the day while returning in the evening.
In recent weeks, he was released from the Forlì prison after completing all legal obligations. His lawyer, Marco Gramiacci, confirmed that Raimondi had opted not to apply for parole and served the full term under the law.
Paola Pellinghelli, the mother of Tommaso Onofri, reacted to the news in an interview with the Gazzetta di Parma. She said she expected Raimondi’s release, given his previous semi-liberty status.
However, she made clear that she does not forgive any of the individuals involved, emphasizing that all three share equal blame in her eyes. Pellinghelli said they will have to answer to a higher power if they are believers, but forgiveness is not something she offers.
Confession and final legal closure
Investigators identified Raimondi early in the case through fingerprints left on the duct tape used to bind the Onofri family. He was the first among the suspects to confess. According to his statement, Alessi killed the child with a spade and suffocated him after Raimondi had already left.
In 2016, Raimondi married a fellow inmate who remains in prison. His release marks the end of his legal journey but leaves lasting pain for the victim’s family.
