Shock in Italy after a couple kills their disabled five-year-old daughter and then commits suicide: "Only we can't"

A shocking tragedy has shaken Italy after a couple killed their five-year-old daughter with disabilities and then took their own lives, leaving authorities and communities grappling with grief and questions over mental health support. The incident occurred in Rome’s Pietralata district, where Luca Abbasciano and Valentina Pambianco, parents of Bianca, a child born prematurely with bone and vision issues, were found dead along with their dog, Teo, in their home on Via Antracite. The couple had sought treatment abroad for Bianca's condition, traveling to Mexico to undergo an experimental therapy at NeuroCytonix clinic under Dr. José Roberto Trujillo. The treatment, using radiofrequency waves and rotational magnetic resonance to stimulate tissue, was costly, estimated at hundreds of thousands of euros, and required a month-long stay. Despite the financial strain, there was little progress, and funds may have been exhausted, contributing to mounting despair. Bianca, who had been in the family’s care since birth, became central to their emotional struggles, with her mother reportedly losing joy after her arrival. Neighbors described the couple’s life as deeply affected by Bianca’s condition, noting how the mother’s difficulty in accepting her daughter’s disability strained the household. A local resident, Cristina, recalled that Valentina stopped smiling after Bianca’s birth, while the family received social services support. The couple had left their jobs and focused entirely on Bianca’s care, further isolating them socially. Authorities, including Carabinieri officers from the Department Operational and Montesacro company, are investigating the case. They discovered a collection of letters written by the couple expressing their intention to end their lives. These documents included plans for the distribution of their assets and messages reflecting deep distress. The police confirmed that the couple used a Glock pistol, registered solely for home security, which they had accessed due to the worsening health of Bianca. Both parents sustained fatal injuries to the head, while the dog was shot in the chest. The tragedy echoes a broader pattern of personal crises linked to long-term caregiving responsibilities. A Napolitan mother, who had undergone similar treatment for her child, recounted how she and the couple maintained contact through messages and video calls during their time in Mexico. She expressed disbelief upon learning of their deaths, saying she had planned a trip to Madrid with them but could not make it. “I wrote him I had arrived in the city we both loved, but the heat was unbearable,” she said. “He didn’t reply. I kept waiting, hoping for a response.” It appears the couple had traveled to Mexico at least three times, possibly four, in an attempt to find relief for Bianca. A neighbor suggested this last journey might have marked their final effort to escape hardship before taking their lives. In the living room, investigators uncovered dozens of farewell notes, some detailing their final wishes and others conveying desperation: “We can't go on alone.”