Walter De Giusti: The Spree Killer of Rosario
The city of Rosario, Argentina, was shaken in the late 1980s by a series of brutal murders committed by Walter Alfredo De Giusti. A former police officer and acquaintance of famous musician Fito Páez, De Giusti engaged in a violent spree that claimed the lives of five women. His case remains a notable example of criminal deception and the complexities of the Argentine judicial system during that era.
Key Facts
- Perpetrator: Walter Alfredo De Giusti (1962–1998).
- Victims: 5 women murdered between October 31 and November 7, 1986.
- Notable Victims: The grandmothers and aunt of musician Fito Páez.
- Conviction: Sentenced to life imprisonment for quintuple murder.
- Death: Died in June 1998 due to complications from HIV/AIDS.
Early Life and Connections
Walter De Giusti grew up in Rosario, where he attended Dante Alighieri high school. It was here that he met Fito Páez. During his youth, De Giusti was a bass player in a heavy metal band. At the time, Páez lived with his father and grandmothers, who had raised him after his mother, concert pianist Margarita Zulema Ávalos, passed away when he was only eight months old.
The Timeline of Crimes
De Giusti's violent spree occurred over a very short window in 1986, characterized by extreme brutality.
The First Attack
On October 31, 1986, the 23-year-old Walter and his 18-year-old brother, Carlos Manuel De Giusti, entered a residence on Garay Street 1081 under the guise of performing plumbing tasks. Once inside, they beat and stabbed two women: 86-year-old Ángela Cristofanetti de Barroso and her 31-year-old adopted daughter, Noemí.
The Murder of Fito Páez's Family
A week later, on November 7, 1986, the brothers struck again at Balcarce Street 681. The victims included Belia Delia Zulema Ramírez (76, paternal grandmother of Fito Páez), Josefa Páez (80, paternal aunt of Fito), and Fermina Godoy (33, a pregnant domestic worker). All three women were shot and stabbed. Evidence suggests that De Giusti, then 24, was familiar with the home and had frequented it.
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From Criminal to Police Officer
In a shocking turn of events, just one month after the murders, on December 4, 1986, De Giusti joined the police force. He was stationed at the sub-office of Pueblo Esther, located approximately 15 kilometers south of Rosario.
Investigation and Arrest
The Rosario police struggled for nearly a year to solve the crimes. The breakthrough came when a local transvestite informed an undercover agent that a necklace they were wearing—which belonged to one of Páez's grandmothers—had been a gift from their boyfriend, Walter.
On August 26, 1987, police raided the De Giusti family home on Güemes Street 2130. Upon entry, officers discovered an engraver that Fito Páez had previously given to his grandmother, Belia, linking De Giusti directly to the crime scene.
Trial and Legal Battles
De Giusti confessed to the five killings before Judge Benjamín Ávalos. On August 24, 1987, he was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Coronda prison in Santa Fe. His brother, Carlos, was placed under probation due to his age (19) and participation, though he remained under police surveillance.
Despite his sentence, De Giusti initially remained on the police payroll through compulsory retirement, receiving 70 percent of his salary until November 1993. Over the following years, his defense successfully petitioned for sentence reductions, eventually lowering the term to 24 years and 7 months. Due to a diagnosis of HIV and claims of blindness, he was eventually granted house arrest.
Final Days and Death
De Giusti's house arrest was revealed to be a sham. Retired Judge Benjamín Ábalos learned that De Giusti was frequently visiting a bar in Rosario and had been seen driving a yellow Fiat 600, contradicting his claims of blindness. Following these reports, the provincial government exonerated him from the police force on May 19, 1998, and sought the return of his earned wages.
After violating his house arrest, De Giusti was returned to Rosario prison on June 3, 1998. His health rapidly declined; he was moved to a hospital in Granadero Baigorria and finally to the American Sanatorium in Rosario. He died on June 12, 1998, from complications related to HIV/AIDS.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Crime Span | October 31, 1986 – November 7, 1986 |
| Total Victims | 5 |
| Location | Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina |
| Sentence | Life Imprisonment (later commuted) |
| Date of Death | June 12, 1998 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Walter De Giusti?
Walter De Giusti was an Argentine spree killer and former police officer who murdered five women in Rosario in 1986, including the grandmother and aunt of musician Fito Páez.
How was Walter De Giusti eventually caught?
He was betrayed by a partner who wore a stolen necklace belonging to one of the victims. This led police to his home, where they found an engraver belonging to the Páez family.
Did De Giusti's brother face charges?
Yes, Carlos Manuel De Giusti was involved in the crimes. However, because he was 19 at the time, he was detained under probation rather than receiving a life sentence.
Why was De Giusti granted house arrest?
His defense argued that he had contracted HIV in prison and had become practically blind, which led a magistrate to arrange house arrest.
How did Walter De Giusti die?
He died on June 12, 1998, at the American Sanatorium in Rosario due to complications from HIV/AIDS.