Monster of Florence

The Monster of Florence is the name commonly used by the media in Italy for a serial killer who killed 16 people between 1968 and 1985 in the Province of Florence. Law enforcement conducted several investigations into the cases over the course of several years. The courts reached the conclusion that the murders were not committed by a single person but by a group of at least four perpetrators who were convicted and later became known as the "Snacks companions". The victims were young amorous couples parked or camped in countryside areas in the vicinity of Florence during new moons. The murderers used multiple weapons, including a .22 caliber Beretta gun and knife, and in half of the cases excised sex organs from the bodies of the female victims, which appeared to be the motive for the crimes.