Six Nations rugby star's wife arrested on suspicion of murdering their children before attempting suicide
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The wife of former Italy rugby international Andrea Benatti has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her two young children before attempting to take her own life.
The tragedy reportedly began in the family home in Suzzara, situated two hours south of Milan in Lombardy, where Antonella Barbieri claimed to have smothered her two-year-old daughter Kim with a pillow.
The former model reportedly then set off on a drive with her five-year-old son Lorenzo Zeus. It is then thought that she stabbed him with a kitchen knife before turning the weapon on herself, driving it into her stomach.
Barbieri was discovered in the car by a local before emergency services rushed to save her life.
Known to suffer from psychological issues, Barbieri initially refused to accept medical treatment at the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital in Reggio Emilia, where she has been since Thursday.
(Image: CEN)
(Image: CEN)
She has since accepted treatment, telling doctors: "I did a bad thing, I want to die."
The AUSL (regional health service of Emilia Romagna) have confirmed Barbieri's condition is stable, stating: "The patient is alert and conscious. Her condition is stable for the moment."
She has been reported to have "heard voices" and previously sought help from a priest over an exorcism, with another asked to bless her home.
(Image: CEN)
Benatti earned five caps for the Azzurri, scoring a try against South Africa, as well as an esteemed domestic career in Italy with the highlight being a championship in 2002 with Viadana.
The FIR (Italian Rugby Federation) tweeted their support for the 39-year-old: "All of the Italian rugby family is with Andrea in this tragic moment."