Banker 'smashed partner's skull' with gym weight

Apartment building in Babuino

 ROME-- Carabinieri on Tuesday were probing the bizarre murder case of 47-year old Michela Di Pompeo, who was found dead in her apartment in the Vicolo del Babuino, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Rome, after her bank manager partner smashed in her skull with a dumbbell. Francesco Carrieri, 55, confessed to the murder at the police station, and was arrested. 

 The central Rome Carabinieri came to the scene on Sunday, finding the body with head injuries, which they later discovered were evidently inflicted with Carrieri's gym weight.

 The couple both have children from previous marriages. Their relationship had been on the rocks in past months, and it seemed as if Di Pompeo wanted to leave her partner.

 Neighbours report hearing shouts coming from the apartment on Sunday night.

 What still needs to be worked out is at exactly what time Carrieri murdered his partner, and how long he waited before going to the carabinieri.

 There are no signs of a struggle on the part of Di Pompeo, leading the investigators to believe that she was murdered during her sleep. The autopsy will clarify the exact details of the murder. 

 This case is the latest in a surge of domestic violence in Italy which has seen hundreds of women murdered by their partners across the peninsula, however it's unusual for a middle class couple, like Di Pompeo and Carrieri, to be the protagonists. 

tm 

Di Pompeo's body was removed from the building
Francesco Carrieri