Two Senegalese nationals aged 26 and 43 were reportedly held overnight. A third suspect, a year-old Nigerian, was detained today. The three are expected to be charged with group sexual violence, voluntary manslaughter and drug dealing.
All three are reported to have previous convictions for drug dealing. The central Rome district is known for its student nightlife, but also for drug dealing. Investigators believe Desiree was drugged and then gang raped while unconscious before she died.
Though the exact circumstances and cause of the teenager's death are yet to be confirmed, an autopsy revealed that she had been under the influence of drugs and had been sexually assaulted.
An anonymous call was made to emergency services at 3am on the 19th of October, local media reported. San Lorenzo does not forget you'. I don't want this tragedy to happen to other girls," said the victim's mother, Barbara Mariottini, at her home in Cisterna di Latina, south of Rome.
The Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, has announced a day of mourning for the city to coincide with Mariottini's funeral. The date has yet to be announced. On Twitter she announced that Rome would be 'stepping up controls' in San Lorenzo and raising the drinking age. She also said squats in other areas would soon be demolished.
