5 - The Killer Footbath

1953. On the beach at Capocotta — before the hunting estate of Dr. Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi — the body of young Wilma Montesi is discovered. What should have been a routine investigation quickly turns into a true crime scandal. Police rush to close the case, dismissing her death as the result of a footbath gone wrong. The explanation is ridiculed across Italy, seen as a blatant cover-up.

The murder mystery engulfs Riccardo, putting both his career and the Vatican’s reputation on the line. As rumors of sex, drugs, and political corruption swirl, the Communist Party seizes the chance to exploit the scandal, destabilize the government, and tip the balance of the Cold War.

The Montesi murder becomes not only a political earthquake but also one of Italy’s most infamous unsolved cold cases — a haunting shadow that lingers to this day.

Discover more at RiccardoPodcast.com — where, starting September 17, 2025, you’ll find documents, research, and exclusive insights expanding on the story.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.