The crime and the investigation
Giulia Tramontano was seven months pregnant when she was killed on May 27, 2023 in Senago, near Milan. Alessandro Impagnatiello, her partner, later confessed. Investigators also documented that during the pregnancy he had administered rat poison to her over a period of months.
After Giulia was reported missing, Impagnatiello initially gave investigators false accounts. Her body was located several days later after he indicated where it had been concealed.
Life imprisonment in the first trial
In November 2024, the Milan Court of Assizes convicted Impagnatiello and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The first-instance court recognized several aggravating circumstances, including premeditation and cruelty.
The 2025 appeal
On June 25, 2025, the Milan Court of Assizes of Appeal again imposed life imprisonment. The appellate court upheld the aggravating circumstances of cruelty and the domestic relationship, but did not recognize premeditation.
The life sentence therefore remained unchanged even though one aggravating circumstance was removed.
The Court of Cassation orders a limited retrial
On April 8, 2026, the first criminal section of Italy's Court of Cassation ordered a new appeal proceeding. The ruling was narrow: the new hearing is limited to reconsidering premeditation. The court rejected the defence challenge concerning cruelty, and the conviction and life sentence remain in place.
In reasons published in June 2026, the Cassation court said the prior appellate judgment had not fully evaluated evidence relevant to whether the intent to kill had formed months earlier, including the escalating administration of poison.
ANSA reported on July 8, 2026 that the limited appeal-bis was scheduled for October 26, 2026 in Milan.
What remains open
The case is not open as to who killed Giulia Tramontano: Impagnatiello's responsibility and life sentence stand. The unresolved procedural question is whether the aggravating circumstance of premeditation must also be formally recognized.
Timeline
May 27, 2023: Giulia Tramontano is killed in Senago.
2023: Impagnatiello confesses after initially misleading investigators.
November 2024: he is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment at first instance.
June 25, 2025: the appeal court confirms life imprisonment but excludes premeditation.
April 8, 2026: the Court of Cassation orders a new appeal limited to premeditation.
June 23, 2026: the Cassation court's reasons explain why the premeditation issue must be reconsidered.
October 26, 2026: date scheduled for the limited appeal-bis.
Current status
The murder is solved / adjudicated. Alessandro Impagnatiello remains sentenced to life imprisonment. A limited appellate proceeding on premeditation is still pending and should not be confused with a retrial on guilt.