A 46-year-old American man, Francis Kaufmann, has appeared before an Italian judge following his extradition from Greece. Kaufmann faces accusations related to the murders of Anastasia Trofimova, a 29-year-old woman, and her 11-month-old baby. The preliminary hearing took place on Tuesday at Rome’s Rebibbia prison.
Kaufmann was extradited over the weekend after being apprehended on the Greek island of Skiathos on June 13. Italian police had issued an international arrest warrant for him. They allege that he used various identities, including a genuine US passport under the name Rexal Ford and an Italian identity card as Matteo Capozzi.
During the hearing, Kaufmann opted not to respond to questions from the investigating judge, Flavia Costantini, and Rome prosecutor Giuseppe Cascini. His legal representation was provided by lawyer Carlo Ludovico Favino, as confirmed by the prosecutor’s office.
The tragic discovery of Trofimova and her baby occurred on June 7, when their bodies were found in separate, overgrown areas of Rome’s Villa Pamphili park. Authorities reported that the infant had suffered from starvation and strangulation, while the exact cause of Trofimova’s death remains undetermined.
For over a week, the victims’ identities were not known, until a television program dedicated to missing persons aired images of Trofimova’s distinctive tattoos. Her mother, living in Moscow, recognized them after a friend shared the photos. She informed Italian investigators that her daughter had met a man known as Rexal Ford while studying English in Malta.
Italian police indicated that Kaufmann claimed to have no involvement in the murders. Following his arrest, he contested the extradition process, employing a local lawyer who has since withdrawn from the case. According to police, Kaufmann’s DNA was found on the black garbage bag that contained Trofimova’s body. DNA testing is now planned to ascertain whether he is the biological father of the infant.
Prior to his arrest, Kaufmann portrayed himself as a film producer and screenwriter. Prosecutor Cascini noted that he utilized the Rexal Ford alias to explore potential movie locations in Rome, including several upscale rooftop terraces. Despite this, reports indicated that Kaufmann, Trofimova, and the baby experienced homelessness, relying on soup kitchens for meals, even while possessing multiple credit cards and often dining at high-end restaurants with potential investors.
As the investigation progresses, Kaufmann’s next court appearance and the results of the DNA tests will be closely monitored. This case continues to draw attention as authorities seek to uncover the truth behind this heartbreaking incident.
