Giorgio Palmieri was arrested overnight for the January 3rd murder of three people in their home in Caselle Torinese, north of Turin, Il Sole 24 Ore reported.

He reportedly confessed to killing Claudio Allione, 66, his wife Maria Angela Greggio, 65, and her 94-year-old mother Emilia Campo Dall'Orto with a paper knife.

Palmieri allegedly went to their family home on Friday evening to explain why he had not settled a €500 debt he owed them, Il Sole said.

He had coffee with the couple, and asked to use the bathroom, before allegedly returning to kill them. Campo Dall'Orto was murdered simply for recognising the killer, the newspaper said.

The arrest of Palmieri, who is said to have fled the crime scene after stealing €100, came only after the couple’s son uncovered vital clues close to the house.

Maurizio Allione returned to the house on Tuesday to collect the family dogs, which had been left in the basement, when he noticed espresso cups from the house and a latex glove nearby.

He informed the police, who over a five-hour period questioned him again about his family and the crime. It was at this point that investigators were led to Palmieri, whose partner Dorotea De Pippo worked for the family for five years, Il Sole reported.

De Pippo lost her job as a carer at the family home a few months ago, after a necklace went missing. Although she is reportedly the link between Palmieri and the victims, De Pippo is not being investigated for murder.

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