Philadelphia, PA – Jo Piazza, a mother of three, delves into a century-old cold case murder that has haunted her family for generations. Her great-great-grandmother Lorenza Marsala met a tragic end in Sicily before she could reunite with her family in America, leaving Jo to untangle a web of mysterious theories surrounding her death.
After the passing of her father in 2015, Jo stumbled upon a hidden passion for unveiling the truth behind Lorenza’s murder. Despite warnings from her family about reopening old wounds, she embarked on a journey to uncover the secrets buried in her family’s past.
Through painstaking research on Ancestry.com and collaborations with historian Stephen Lean, Jo traced Lorenza’s life from her birth in 1862 to her untimely death in 1916 in the village of Caltabellotta. She discovered a legacy of tragedy and resilience as Lorenza’s children followed their father to the United States, leaving behind their deceased mother who worked as a farmer.
With each revelation, Jo’s determination only grew, fueled by a desire to connect with her father’s unfinished work. She encountered unexpected obstacles, such as accessing her father’s accounts, but she persisted in her quest for answers.
Amidst whispers of witchcraft, mafia involvement, and family vendettas, Jo uncovered tantalizing clues that hinted at a darker truth behind Lorenza’s murder. As her investigation deepens, Jo faces skepticism and caution from loved ones, underscoring the importance of treading carefully in her pursuit of justice.
Traveling to Caltabellotta and immersing herself in the local history, Jo uncovered unsettling details about Lorenza’s death in the village’s “Death Book.” The discovery of a parallel death at the same time and place as Lorenza’s added another layer of intrigue to the already complex case.
As Jo delves deeper into her family’s past, she grapples with the possibility that one of Lorenza’s sons may have sought vengeance for her untimely demise. Armed with newfound evidence and a determination to uncover the truth, Jo sets out to unravel the mysteries surrounding her great-great-grandmother’s fate in a true crime podcast.
In parallel with her investigation, Jo crafts a fictional murder mystery novel inspired by her findings, weaving together fact and imagination to shed light on a century-old tragedy. Through her dual storytelling approach, Jo honors her family’s history while offering a compelling narrative that captivates readers and listeners alike.