Brother Alessandro Serenelli | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 June 1882 Paterno, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 6 May 1970 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation(s) | Farmhand, Prisoner, Gardener, Lay brother |
| Known for | Murder of Maria Goretti |
Alessandro Serenelli, OFM Cap. (2 June 1882 – 6 May 1970) was an Italian man, who is known for being the murderer of an eleven-year-old girl, Maria Goretti. He attempted to seduce and rape her and stabbed her 14 times, which mortally wounded her.
While serving 27 years in prison for his crime, he reported seeing a vision of his victim in which she repeated to him how she had forgiven him on her deathbed. From then, he was converted and became a model prisoner. Upon his release, he worked as a gardener, porter and lay brother in a convent of Franciscan Capuchin friars in the Marche until his death.