In Part 2 of our deep dive into the chilling story of Antonio Neroni — also known as “Bava” — we pick up right where we left off: three bodies discovered beneath his cabin floor, one man still missing, and Neroni locked in a battle of wills with Colorado law enforcement.

This episode unravels the dramatic final chapter of one of Colorado’s most sensational crime stories. From the accidental discovery of Joseph Monticello’s body just 30 feet from Neroni’s cellar, to Neroni’s violent outbursts in jail, to the tense courtroom packed with reporters, townspeople, and even high-school students — we walk you through the case exactly as it unfolded in the papers of 1907 and 1908.

You’ll hear:
• How Neroni finally confessed to Monticello’s murder
• The shocking behavior that fueled an insanity defense
• Why the courtroom trial became a statewide spectacle
• The last-minute decision that saved Neroni from the gallows
• The mysterious and controversial death that ended his life behind bars
• The guard who was later charged — and convicted — in Neroni’s killing
• How Neroni’s crimes sparked outrage, reform, and headlines across Colorado

This tragic and gruesome story stretches from southern Italy to the prisons of Colorado, raising questions about violence, corruption, mental illness, and sensational journalism. It’s one of the wildest episodes we’ve ever covered — and proof that truth is often stranger than fiction.

If you enjoy the episode, make sure to follow, rate, and share the Italian American Stories Podcast. And check out our website for photos, newspaper clippings, and more historical deep dives.

In this chilling two-part series, Stephanie and Sandy take listeners deep into one of Colorado’s darkest and most unsettling Italian American cases—the life and crimes of Antonio Neroni, a man who lived under many names…and left just as many tragedies behind.

Born in Italy in 1877, Neroni’s violent past began shockingly early—and followed him across the ocean to the rugged company towns of southern Colorado. By the early 1900s, “Tony Bava,” as he called himself, had settled in Florence, where mysterious disappearances began to ripple through the community: a housekeeper, a farmhand, and two brothers who were also his business partners.

When charred bones, burned clothing, and a blood-stained axe were discovered on his property, the quiet farming town erupted into fear, superstition, and rage. Crowds gathered. Psychic visions were reported. And investigators unearthed horrors along the Arkansas River and beneath Neroni’s farmhouse cellar that stunned even seasoned lawmen.

In Part 1, we cover:
• Neroni’s violent beginnings in Italy
• The world of Colorado coal towns in the early 1900s
• The sudden disappearances surrounding his small Florence farm
• Disturbing discoveries that turned rumor into terror
• Neroni’s chilling confessions…and contradictions
• His unhinged escape attempts and increasing instability

This is a story filled with mystery, hysteria, community fear, and a growing body count—one that captured headlines across the country and had Colorado wondering whether they were facing a murderer, a madman, or something far worse.

Join us as we unravel the first half of the shocking case of Antonio Neroni, Colorado’s forgotten nightmare.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2, where we dive into the trial, the hunt for the final missing man, and the explosive conclusion of this unbelievable story.

✨ AVAILABLE NOW — Episode 77: Christina Minutillo ✨

Our newest episode is officially LIVE — and trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

Today, I sit down with Christina Minutillo — podcaster, traveler, cookbook author, and a woman whose passion for Italian roots has completely transformed her life.

From uncovering her family’s hidden history in tiny villages outside Naples…
To filming 300-person neighborhood feasts…
To traveling the world cooking with locals…
To hosting her very first roots-travel experience in her ancestral town…

Christina’s story is one of heritage, mystery, courage, and rediscovery.

We talk about:
🇮🇹 What it feels like to walk the streets of your ancestors
🍝 The power of food and community
🏘️ Why small Italian towns hold a magic we’ve lost
✈️ How travel helped her conquer fear
📚 The inspiration behind her cookbook Cooking with Italian Roots
🕵🏻‍♀️ And the emotional mystery she uncovered about her great-grandfather — one that still needs solving…

If you love Italian American stories, family mysteries, travel, or just hearing someone speak from the heart… this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now to Episode 77: Christina Minutillo — available on all platforms.