The Tragic Story of Gloria Rosboch: A Tale of Betrayal and Murder
Castellamonte, Italy — The story of Gloria Rosboch, a 49-year-old Italian schoolteacher from Castellamonte, a small town in the Piedmont region, is a heartbreaking tale of deception, betrayal, and murder that shocked Italy. In January 2016, Gloria vanished after leaving her home to meet someone she trusted, only to be found dead a month later in a woodland area near Rivara. Her former student, Gabriele Defilippi, and his accomplice, Roberto Obert, were convicted of her murder, driven by greed and manipulation. The case, detailed in sources like The Sun and Il Messaggero, exposes the devastating consequences of a meticulously planned scam that exploited Gloria’s kindness and vulnerability.
A Trusting Teacher Deceived
Gloria Rosboch was a respected middle school history and Italian teacher known for her quiet, reserved nature and dedication to her students. Described by her community as a “good person” with a passion for teaching, she lived a simple life with her parents in Castellamonte. Despite her professional fulfillment, Gloria longed for love and companionship, a vulnerability that her former student, Gabriele Defilippi, exploited with devastating consequences.
In 2014, Defilippi, then 22, reconnected with Gloria, who had taught him years earlier. Charismatic and manipulative, he convinced her that he could invest her savings of €187,000 (approximately $210,000) in a lucrative venture in France, promising significant returns. Gloria, trusting her former student and seeing him as a surrogate son, handed over the money—her life savings—without formal documentation. The money was meant to secure her future, but Defilippi had no intention of investing it. Instead, he and his mother, Caterina Abbattista, allegedly spent it on luxury goods, including a €30,000 Land Rover, designer clothes, and lavish vacations.
When Gloria realized the money was gone and Defilippi’s promises were empty, she confronted him, demanding repayment. She threatened to report him to the police, unaware that her insistence would lead to her tragic end. Defilippi, fearing exposure, devised a plan to silence her permanently.
The Murder Plot
On January 13, 2016, Gloria left her home to meet Defilippi, believing he would discuss repaying her money. Instead, he lured her to a remote location under the pretense of a meeting. There, Defilippi and his accomplice, Roberto Obert, a 54-year-old hairdresser and Defilippi’s former lover, carried out a brutal murder. According to court testimony reported by La Stampa, Defilippi convinced Obert to help by claiming Gloria was a threat. The two beat Gloria and strangled her with a rope in a van, then disposed of her body in a ditch near a landfill in Rivara, covering it with earth and debris.
Gloria’s disappearance sparked immediate concern in Castellamonte. Her parents, Marisa and Sergio Mores, reported her missing when she didn’t return home, prompting a police investigation. Suspicion quickly fell on Defilippi due to his prior financial dealings with Gloria. A breakthrough came when police traced a call Gloria made to Defilippi’s phone on the day she vanished. On February 19, 2016, her body was discovered after Obert, under pressure during questioning, confessed and led authorities to the site.
The Trial and Convictions
The trial, held in Turin, revealed the chilling details of the crime. Defilippi, described as a “pathological liar” with a history of scams, admitted to planning the murder but claimed Obert delivered the fatal blows. Obert, however, argued he acted under Defilippi’s influence, fearing repercussions if he refused. In 2017, Defilippi was convicted of murder and fraud, receiving a 30-year sentence, later reduced to 19 years and eight months on appeal in 2019 due to a plea deal. Obert was sentenced to 18 years and nine months for his role in the murder. Caterina Abbattista, Defilippi’s mother, was initially convicted of complicity in the scam and murder, receiving a 14-year sentence, but this was overturned on appeal in 2018 due to insufficient evidence linking her directly to the killing. She was later sentenced to two years for fraud related to Gloria’s money.
The court proceedings, covered extensively by Il Messaggero and Corriere della Sera, highlighted Defilippi’s manipulative nature. Prosecutors described him as a “chameleon” who exploited Gloria’s trust, leveraging their teacher-student bond to deceive her. The trial also exposed Defilippi’s history of fraud, including scams targeting other women, such as a fake romance with a manicurist to extract money.
Community Impact and Legacy
The murder stunned Castellamonte, a close-knit community where Gloria was well-loved. Her parents, particularly her mother Marisa, were devastated, with Marisa passing away in 2018, reportedly heartbroken over her daughter’s death. The case drew national attention in Italy, fueling discussions about financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals and the psychological tactics used by con artists. A 2016 La Repubblica article noted that Gloria’s case prompted calls for stricter regulations on informal financial transactions and greater awareness of fraud schemes.
In Kansas City, Kansas, where the tragic death of Police Officer Hunter Simoncic on August 26, 2025, has dominated recent news, Gloria’s story has not been a focal point. However, the case resonates globally as a cautionary tale of betrayal. Posts on X reflect sympathy for Gloria, with one user writing, “Gloria Rosboch trusted the wrong person and paid with her life. Heartbreaking.” Others criticized the leniency of Defilippi’s reduced sentence, noting the brutality of the crime.
Ongoing Relevance
Gloria Rosboch’s murder remains a stark reminder of the dangers of financial scams and the devastating impact of misplaced trust. The case, often referred to as the “Joy” tragedy in some English-language reports due to translation errors of Gloria’s name, underscores the need for vigilance in personal and financial dealings. As Defilippi and Obert serve their sentences, the memory of Gloria—a kind, trusting teacher—continues to evoke sorrow and calls for justice in Italy and beyond.
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