New details have emerged in the case of Sergiu Tarnas, a Moldovan citizen found dead last week in a field near Venice, Italy. A forensic examination shows that the victim died from a single gunshot to the temple, in what investigators describe as an execution style killing, Italian daily Il Gazzettino reports.
According to Italian media cited by Libertatea.ro, the bullet came from a large caliber weapon. Such a crime has not been recorded in the Venice area since the era of the Mala del Brenta criminal group, which was active in the 1970s and 1980s.
Investigators say the killing took place on December 30, 2025. An amateur photographer discovered the body about 12 hours later while taking pictures of wildlife near the border between Venice and the town of Mira.
Prosecutors and carabinieri have since worked to reconstruct the victim’s final hours. On the evening of his death, Tarnas worked at a venue in central Mestre, where he was employed on a trial basis. He finished his shift around 8:30 p.m., had a beer with a colleague, and then received a phone call. He stepped away, left the area, and got into a car that was waiting with the engine running.
Authorities believe that at least two other men were with him. Surveillance cameras in Malcontenta and Fusina, including those near military barracks, a campsite, and a post office, may help identify the vehicle or vehicles involved and trace the route to the agricultural area where the crime occurred.
Investigators estimate that the shooting happened after 11:00 p.m. They found no signs of a struggle and no evidence that anyone moved the body. The gunshot caused the only injury.
Drug trafficking considered main motive
Investigators currently consider drug trafficking the main motive behind the killing. Italian authorities describe mainland Venice as a major hub for drug distribution in northeastern Italy and across the country.
Sergiu Tarnas had no criminal record and did not appear in law enforcement databases. His name appeared only in prefecture records, where authorities listed him as a user, a detail investigators say does not indicate involvement at a high level in organized crime. The investigation continues.