Francesco Matrone

Francesco Matrone (Italian pronunciation: [franˈtʃesko maˈtroːne]; 15 July 1947 – 5 October 2023) was an Italian Camorrista. He was on the "most wanted list" of the Italian ministry of the Interior for murder in 2007 and other organized crime related charges^[1] until his arrest on 17 August 2012, in Battipaglia (Campania).^[2][3]

Francesco Matrone
Mug shot of Matrone
Born	(1947-07-15)15 July 1947 Scafati, Campania, Italy
Died	5 October 2023(2023-10-05) (aged 76) Milan, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Other names	A' Belva
Occupation	Crime boss
Children	Michele Matrone
Allegiance	Matrone clan, Camorra
Criminal charge	Murder
Penalty	Two life sentences

History

In the 1980s, Matrone was the right-hand man of the former godfather of the Nuova Famiglia, Carmine Alfieri.^[4] After the dissolution of the Nuova Famiglia, Francesco Matrone, headed one of the most powerful clans based in the Province of Salerno.^[5]

Matrone received two life sentences for a double homicide.^[3] Matrone was at the head of the Loreto-Matrone clan of the Camorra, along with Pasquale Loreto (now pentito).^[6] Matrone, known as A' belva ("The beast"), is believed to have laundered money in restaurants and bars in various regions of Salerno. He was also known for his love of animals, dogs in particular, in the time of his arrest, in a rural house in Acerno, he asked the police to allow his son to look after the dogs he had inside the hideout.^[7]

His clan is considered to be in decline, especially compared to the 1990s, when it was predominant in Scafati and surroundings.^[2]

In 2019, his son Michele Matrone caused controversy posting a photo with Matteo Salvini, with the caption: "A coffee with my dear friend Matteo". The publication, before being removed from Matrone's social media, received several "likes", even from Scafati's current city councilors.^[8] According to the media, Michele now lives in Emilia Romagna.^[9]

Francesco Matrone died on 5 October 2023, at the age of 76, in Milan's Opera Prison, where he was serving two life sentences in the 41-bis regime.^[10][11]

References

1. (in Italian) Direzione centrale della Polizia Criminale - Programma Speciale di Ricerca - Matrone Francesco
2. (in Italian) Arrestato superboss Matrone; elogio del Viminale all'Arma, La Repubblica, 17 August 2012
3. Police capture a 'most wanted' Camorra crime boss^{[permanent dead link‍]}, ANSA, 17 August 2012
4. Liguori, Alfonso Maria (21 March 2018). "Scafati, estorsioni e videopoker: assolti il boss Matrone e suo figlio". Il Gazzettino vesuviano | IGV (in Italian). Retrieved 13 September 2019.
5. "CAMORRA/ Arrestato il capoclan Matrone. Era soprannominato "la belva"". IlSussidiario.net (in Italian). 17 August 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
6. Liguori, Alfonso Maria (14 January 2018). "Scafati, camorra: il boss Francesco Matrone primula rossa della Nuova Famiglia". Il Gazzettino vesuviano | IGV (in Italian). Retrieved 13 September 2019.
7. Liguori, Alfonso Maria (28 March 2017). "Francesco Matrone: il boss di Scafati che stringeva alleanze al casello autostradale". Il Gazzettino vesuviano | IGV (in Italian). Retrieved 13 September 2019.
8. "Scafati, quel che caffè che rende nervoso Salvini e non solo lui..." mn24.it. 10 September 2019.
9. "Il selfie di Matteo Salvini con il figlio di Matrone, un super boss della camorra". metropolisweb.it. 10 September 2019.
10. "Morto in carcere il boss di Scafati Francesco Matrone". La Città. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
11. "Camorra, muore Francesco Matrone: il boss di Scafati detto Franchino 'a Belva era al 41 bis". Napoli Fanpage (in Italian). 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.