Informer on Mafia killed in Italy

CALABRIA, Italy, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- An informant against organized crime in Calabria, Italy, was kidnapped and killed and her body dissolved in acid, police said.

Lea Garofalo, 35, had been giving evidence against the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta Mafia since 2002 but lost a protection detail in 2006, ANSA reported Monday.

Garofalo's ex-companion, 'Ndrangheta boss Carlo Cosco, allegedly lured her to Milan in November 2009 on the pretext of maintaining contact with their grown daughter, police said.

Cosco was in jail at the time for attempting to kidnap Garofalo in May 2009.

Police say she was kidnapped by two other mafia members, and the killing and disposal of the body was allegedly carried out by two of Cosco's brothers, Giuseppe and Vito.

Prosecutors have issued six arrest warrants, including one served on Cosco in jail.

Police said evidence showed Garofalo was killed and put into an acid bath on waste ground on the night of Nov. 24-25 outside a small town near Monza.

It was not clear why Garofalo was no longer in the witness protection program or why she had not been given a bodyguard after the May attempted kidnapping.

The police investigation that concluded Monday was put in motion when Garafalo was reported missing by her daughter, ANSA said.