The air that you feel in the empty streets of Cossombrato is surreal. A small village nestled in the hills of Astigiano, surrounded by vineyards and fields.
Right in the middle of the greenery, Astrit Koni , 59 years old of Albanian origin, is suspected of having killed his ex-wife Drita Mecollari , 57 years old, and her new partner Bardhok Gega , 55 years old, living outside the province, with a small scythe, and then ending his life by jumping from the castle on top of the village.
"Don't worry about what others say, move forward and do your own thing, only in this way can you be calm and independent," the woman wrote on her Instagram profile. A sentence that takes on a strong meaning after what happened.
Among the few passers-by, no one feels ready to speak openly. "We are all very shocked, we knew Astrit very well and we would never have imagined that he could do something like this," says a woman with tears in her eyes. "Nothing ever happens here. The calm was broken by this tragedy," adds another.
"Arturo", as he was christened in Cossombrato, worked as a gardener in the castle, but also for several private individuals. He had lived in the village of 500 inhabitants for almost 30 years. He had come to Italy with his ex-wife, with whom he had two daughters, and from whom he had separated a few years ago. A very well-known couple, both from the small Albanian community and from other residents.
"These are dramatic days for us. They were loved by everyone," emphasizes the mayor Elsa Ormea. "He was very reserved and spoke little, but he had very good relations with everyone," she adds. There is also a hint of regret in her voice: "There was definitely a drama in that family that we did not understand. The great regret is that we were unable to help them. Arturo was like a guardian of the village."
The mystery of suicide
What initially seemed like a case of suicide, as the hours passed, has turned into an increasingly tragic event. Drita had not lived in the village for a long time, but returned regularly to engage in her favorite hobby, which her ex-husband knew well.
For several years, she had been raising bees in the hills, about two kilometers from the residential area.
It was a small structure with about ten hives, hidden among the trees, on top of a hill that could only be reached on foot.
The alarm was raised by her brother, who, during a walk in the area, probably to check on the beekeeping, found the bodies. According to authorities, the victims had stab wounds to the head.

Initial investigations indicate that the new partner attempted to protect his girlfriend, but the exact dynamics of the incident remain to be clarified.
What is known for sure is that the weapon used was a sickle, found at the crime scene. The investigation is being led by prosecutor Alessandro Giai and the main suspect remains the ex-husband, who took his own life the day before the bodies were discovered.
Carabinieri investigations
The event still has many unclear points, especially regarding the exact time of the double murder.
It is not yet clear whether the crime occurred on Thursday afternoon or Friday. Police forensics are expected to clarify this key detail.
Another element that remains to be clarified is the scene of the attack: whether Kon had followed the couple from afar or if he happened to be at that location.