Italian Man Murders His Parents After Father Called Him A Failure

A father-son spat led to the deaths of retired teachers Peter Neumair and Laura Perselli at the hands of their son Benno Neumair.

Having murdered both his parents in their home in Bolzano, northern Italy on Jan. 5, the 30-year-old man reported them missing the following day. The police eventually arrested him on Jan 29 on suspicion of the murders. During police interrogation, the bodybuilder confessed to the gruesome attack on his parents after his father accused him of “being a failure”.

The search for the elderly couple soon turned into a murder investigation as their son became a suspect. On Jan. 5, Benno reported his parents missing. He told the police that he feared his parents had been trapped by the landslide that destroyed the Eberle hotel. However, unconvinced by his narrative, the police continued to investigate the man.

An Italian news site, Corriere, reported that the police noted “a series of suspicious movements” by Benno. He and two women he knew were listed as suspects. While Laura and Peter remained missing, the investigators gathered enough evidence to arrest the prime suspect.

On Feb. 6, Laura’s body was found in the Adige River. Post mortem revealed that there were signs of strangulation. Peter’s body has not been found, but traces of his blood was found on a bridge nearby.

Benno during police questioning narrated what happened on the day of the murders.

He revealed that the argument started between him and his father while his mother was away from the home. Daily Mail reported that the argument was initially over the responsibility of walking their dog. Benno said that his father accused him of not doing enough around the house. Peter called his son a failure and complained about his conduct at home. In a fit of rage, the younger man attacked his father. He strangled him to death.

Soon after Peter’s death, Laura returned home. Without any explanation, Benno attacked his mother and strangled her using the same rope. He then put their bodies in the trunk of his father’s car. Having driven to Ischia Frizzi bridge over the Adige river, the accused dumped the bodies of his victims.

Benno has been charged with murder and concealment of a corpse. He remains in police custody.