Rome – The death of Denise Cosco, a former state witness who testified against her father, Carlo, and his accomplice for the Calabria ’Ndrangheta, has renewed scrutiny of Italy’s witness‑protection program. Cosco, 35, fell from a fourth‑floor window in her Rome apartment on September 10 and died after four days in hospital.
Background and family tragedy
Cosco’s mother, Lea Garofalo, was murdered in November 2009 after she testified about her husband’s drug‑dealing activities for the organized‑crime syndicate. The murder was deemed a revenge attack. Garofalo’s remains were later recovered when her boyfriend, Carmine Venturino, admitted involvement and led investigators to the burial site.
Following her mother’s killing, Cosco entered Italy’s witness‑protection program, living under an assumed identity for six years. She later left the program, citing financial hardship and the constant threat of losing protection. In 2013, at her mother’s funeral, Cosco spoke from behind bullet‑proof glass, thanking Garofalo for her courage.
Investigation into Cosco’s death
Police have opened a criminal investigation and seized Cosco’s phones and electronic devices. While her husband was home at the time of the fall, he is not considered a suspect. Prosecutors are also examining whether the mafia may have “incited” the apparent suicide, though no note was left.
Anti‑mafia prosecutor Alessandra Cerreti, who has guided dozens of women to testify against crime families, emphasized the challenges faced by the protection program: limited budget, short investigative windows, and the difficulty of corroborating testimony. She noted that protection status is reviewed every four years, and if a witness’s testimony cannot be corroborated, the state may withdraw protection.
Criticism of the protection system
Cosco’s lawyer, Enza Rando, blamed the state for failing to provide adequate security and support. “The mafia kills in many ways. It kills by creating true monsters in the lives of those left behind,” Rando said.
Naples public prosecutor Nicola Gratteri called Cosco’s death a setback for the fight against organized crime, warning it could deter future witnesses. Witness Giuseppe Carini, who lives under a false identity after testifying against a mafia‑linked priest, wrote an open letter accusing the highest levels of government of abandoning protectees.
Broader implications
The case has reignited debate in Italy over the safety and funding of the witness‑protection program, which enrolls roughly 6,000 people according to the Interior Ministry. Critics argue that insufficient resources and bureaucratic hurdles leave many turncoats vulnerable.
Supporters of the program point to the many streets, parks and schools named after Garofalo as evidence of the nation’s gratitude for those who break the code of silence. Yet the tragedy underscores the personal toll on families who choose to confront the mafia.
What comes next
Authorities will continue to investigate possible mafia involvement and assess whether procedural changes are needed to better protect future collaborators. The outcome may shape Italy’s ongoing battle against organized crime and influence how the state balances security with the rights of those who risk everything to testify.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
