The Monster of Florence

The Monster of Florence was a serial killer who murdered 16 people — 7 couples — in the hills around Florence, Italy, between 1968 and 1985. The killer ambushed couples in isolated parking spots, killing the male victim first, then sexually mutilating the female victim. The case spawned multiple investigations and prosecutions, but the actual killer was never conclusively identified. A retired post office worker, Pietro Pacciani, was convicted then acquitted; his associates were also tried. The case attracted international attention after American author Douglas Preston was peripherally investigated while writing a book about it.