Tragic death of woman who testified against father in notorious mafia murder of mother

Denise Cosco, 35, died after testifying against her father Carlo Cosco and the 'Ndrangheta clan in Italy, a group notorious for its brutal mafia violence. Her mother Lea Garofalo was killed in 2009 and became a powerful symbol of resistance to the mafia after turning witness for the state. Cosco's death has been described as a 'profound wound for the entire country' by Enza Rando, an anti-mafia lawyer, who warned of the mafia's ability to create 'true monsters' in the lives of those who survive. Francesca Rispoli, co-president of Libera, an anti-mafia organisation, highlighted the struggle faced by those who break with organised crime, saying 'the mafia is not just something physical, it's a tie that stays deep inside and is impossible to overcome'. Cosco had lived under state protection with a new name and identity for many years but remained vulnerable and reconnected with her father in prison. She struggled with mental health problems and addiction. The 'Ndrangheta clan, to which both Cosco's family were tied, involves close-knit family networks that can make it difficult for individuals to leave the organisation. Cosco's refusal to believe her father's story that her mother had abandoned her has been revealed.