Scilla Gabel — Biography
Gianfranca Gabellini, known professionally as Scilla Gabel, is a former Italian actress who graced the cinema, television, and stage. Her career spanned from 1954 to 1988, during which she appeared in approximately 50 films and numerous television productions. Born in Rimini, Gabel was one of five siblings. Her initial foray into the film industry was as Sophia Loren's body double. From 1957 to 1967, she frequently took on leading female roles in many movies, though her potential was somewhat constrained by the predictable characters she was often cast in. By the late 1960s, Gabel shifted her focus to theater and television, where she found more substantial roles and gained critical acclaim. She married Piero Schivazappa in 1968, and they welcomed one child.
Tragically, Gabel's father, 87-year-old Giuseppe Gabellini, was murdered on May 8, 1999. He owned a villa on via Campi di Torre Flavia, near Ladispoli's beach, roughly 35 kilometers west of Rome, where he rented out rooms. One of his tenants, Elisa Santilli, aged 65, was significantly behind on her rent, owing 900,000 lira. Santilli had also rejected a 3,000,000 lira offer from Gabellini to vacate the apartment. On the morning of May 8th, Gabellini returned to the villa to make a final attempt at reasoning with Santilli, informing her that her eviction by the carabiniere was scheduled for May 25th. After a brief argument at her doorway, during which she finally agreed to the buyout, Santilli retreated to her kitchen and retrieved a large knife. She then attacked Gabellini, stabbing him once in the chest without uttering a word. As he fell to the corridor floor, she continued her assault, stabbing him an additional fourteen times. The attack ceased only when the tip of her knife broke off in one of his vertebrae. She then stood by, seemingly observing his death. Gabel's father passed away at the scene, in his daughter's arms. Santilli moved out of the apartment a week later, placed under house arrest while awaiting trial, relocating to Pescia Romana, about 70 kilometers northwest. Before embarking on her acting career, Gabel pursued legal studies at Oxford University in England, earning a doctorate.
Tragically, Gabel's father, 87-year-old Giuseppe Gabellini, was murdered on May 8, 1999. He owned a villa on via Campi di Torre Flavia, near Ladispoli's beach, roughly 35 kilometers west of Rome, where he rented out rooms. One of his tenants, Elisa Santilli, aged 65, was significantly behind on her rent, owing 900,000 lira. Santilli had also rejected a 3,000,000 lira offer from Gabellini to vacate the apartment. On the morning of May 8th, Gabellini returned to the villa to make a final attempt at reasoning with Santilli, informing her that her eviction by the carabiniere was scheduled for May 25th. After a brief argument at her doorway, during which she finally agreed to the buyout, Santilli retreated to her kitchen and retrieved a large knife. She then attacked Gabellini, stabbing him once in the chest without uttering a word. As he fell to the corridor floor, she continued her assault, stabbing him an additional fourteen times. The attack ceased only when the tip of her knife broke off in one of his vertebrae. She then stood by, seemingly observing his death. Gabel's father passed away at the scene, in his daughter's arms. Santilli moved out of the apartment a week later, placed under house arrest while awaiting trial, relocating to Pescia Romana, about 70 kilometers northwest. Before embarking on her acting career, Gabel pursued legal studies at Oxford University in England, earning a doctorate.
