WOMAN, 45, PLUMMETS TO HER DEATH AFTER EX-BOYFRIEND ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPS HER AND THROWS HER FROM BRIDGE — THEN JUMPS TO HIS OWN DEATH

A desperate phone call to police.
A terrified woman trapped inside a car.
And a final confrontation on a motorway bridge that ended with two people dead.

Authorities in Italy are investigating the shocking death of 45-year-old Lorena Isceri, who allegedly was abducted by her former boyfriend before being thrown from a bridge near Florence.

The man accused of taking her, 38-year-old Federico Vella, also died after apparently jumping from the same bridge.

But investigators are still trying to answer one crucial question:

Was Lorena still alive when she was thrown from the bridge — or had she already been killed?

A TERRIFYING ABDUCTION

According to reports cited by PEOPLE, Isceri was allegedly abducted from her home in the Rifredi area of Florence on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Vella was reportedly waiting for her before she returned home and allegedly forced her into his vehicle.

He then drove toward the A1 motorway.

But Isceri was not completely without hope.

She still had access to a cellphone and managed to contact police, reportedly telling authorities that she had been abducted.

The call gave investigators a chance to trace her location.

But before officers could reach the vehicle, Vella allegedly discovered that she had contacted police.

THE FINAL MOMENTS

According to Italian media reports, Vella allegedly took the phone from Isceri and drove toward a motorway bridge.

At some point, the situation turned fatal.

Investigators allege that Vella threw Isceri from the bridge.

Police arrived as Vella was reportedly still on the bridge.

He then jumped to his own death.

Both died.

Authorities are now examining exactly what happened during those final moments. 

THE QUESTION THAT COULD CHANGE THE CASE

Although the circumstances have led to the case being described as an apparent murder-suicide, investigators have not yet publicly established precisely how Isceri died.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine whether she died from the fall or whether she had already suffered a fatal injury before being thrown from the bridge.

That distinction could become crucial as investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.

The Florence Prosecutor’s Office and the city’s mobile police squad are leading the investigation. 

HER MOTHER KNEW SHE WAS AFRAID

In a heartbreaking interview with SkyTG24, Isceri’s mother said her daughter had previously spoken to her about her relationship with Vella.

She also said Lorena had been afraid.

That detail has added another painful layer to the investigation as authorities examine the couple’s history and what happened in the weeks leading up to the deaths. 

Vella had also reportedly posted emotional messages about the breakup on social media.

In an Aug. 12 Instagram post, he shared photographs and videos of the couple and wrote about losing the woman he loved.

Investigators are examining his digital activity as part of the broader inquiry. 

A WIDER WARNING

Lorena’s death has also drawn attention because it comes amid growing concern over violence against women in Italy.

According to figures cited by The Guardian from the feminist organization Non Una di Meno, 40 women had been killed in Italy by Aug. 8, with seven reportedly killed by current or former partners. 

For Lorena’s family, however, the statistics are secondary to one devastating reality.

A woman who had reportedly been frightened by a former partner made a desperate call for help.

Police tried to locate her.

But they arrived too late.

Now investigators must reconstruct the final minutes of her life — and determine exactly what happened on that bridge above the A1 motorway.

The investigation remains ongoing.