ROME - The ex-lover of Cosa Nostra massacrer Matteo Messina Denaro, who he called Kokka, recounted their lives together on July 17 last year, 6 months after Denaro’s arrest, and just two months before her death on 25th September. 

Kokka, a woman from Campobello di Mazara, recounted to the magistrates how she contacted Denaro on Instagram, who at the time was using the alias Francesco Averna – an anaesthesiologist from Palermo, divorced with two daughters raised by him. Kokka recounts their first meeting as she found herself “with this gentleman all dressed up in Louis Vuitton, all special, a kind of face never seen in Campobello di Mazara.” She described him as “always giving the impression that he had no friends. Very closed off, very reserved.” 

Kokka also reflected upon the lavish lifestyle which the two lovers enjoyed together. Stays in resorts, lunches and dinners between Trapani and Palermo, day trips to Cefalù and Taormina. Kokka recounts one particular event when they went shopping together in Delfino. Kokka remembers how Denaro gave her 400 euros to buy whatever she likes. Denaro also showered Kokka with other gifts including 1,500 euros to buy a new car and he gifted her at least 3 designer bags during the course of their relationship between 2019 to 2022. Denaro also paid for Kokka’s medical expenses, and took her to a very expensive clinic in Marsala to help cure her sore. 

However, their relationship was not all plain sailing. Kokka recounted how after the onset of a tumour, Denaro became a “ball breaker.” Kokka recalls that Denaro really exaggerated the pain that he suffered, and ended up distancing herself from him and deleting all their chats together. 

Kokka overall memory of the relationship is an experience which made her stronger, and taught her a lot about herself: “I risked my life. I was naïve. It gave me confidence.” 

tjpw