Stefano Bontade

Stefano Bontade
Born
Stefano Bontate

(1939-04-23)23 April 1939
Palermo, Italy
Died23 April 1981(1981-04-23) (aged 42)
Palermo, Italy
Cause of deathMultiple gunshots wounds
Body discoveredIn a car
NationalityItalian
Other namesPrincipe di Villagrazia, Il Falco
AllegianceSicilian Mafia

Stefano Bontade (23 April 1939 – 23 April 1981), born Stefano Bontate, was a powerful member of the Sicilian Mafia. He was the boss of the Santa Maria di Gesù Family in Palermo. He was also known as the Principe di Villagrazia (Prince of Villagrazia) − the area of Palermo he controlled − and Il Falco (the Falcon).[1] He had links with several powerful politicians in Sicily, and with prime minister Giulio Andreotti. In 1981 he was killed by the rival faction within Cosa Nostra, the Corleonesi. His death sparked a brutal Mafia War that left several hundred mafiosi dead.

  1. ^ (in Italian) Trent'anni fa l'assassinio di Bontade, La Repubblica, 23 April 2011