S27E2: The Monster of Florence

Episode 2 continues the grim saga of the murderous spree that plagued the Tuscan countryside. This installment plunges into the labyrinth of the investigation's most turbulent years. We examine the pressure-cooker environment of the 1980s, where the local police's frantic search for the Monster led to several wrongful arrests that cast a long shadow of doubt over the law enforcement's competence.

The episode dissects the case of Enzo Spalletti, whose wrongful accusation and subsequent exoneration underscored the investigation's flaws. As the narrative unfolds, we encounter Francesco Vinci, another man caught in the investigation's dragnet, painting a picture of an inquiry fraught with desperation and hasty conclusions. The series reveals the scandalous media circus and the public's macabre fascination with the satanic cult theories, adding layers of complexity to an already intricate case.

Listeners are taken on a journey through the twists and turns of evidence and hearsay that led to Pietro Pacciani's conviction—and the shocking reversal that followed. We close with a sobering reflection on the unsolved mystery that remains, pondering the true identity of the Monster and the fate that befell the accused. As the episode concludes, we are left with more questions than answers, keeping the terrifying legacy of the Monster of Florence alive in the collective memory.