Filippo Turetta admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend Giulia Cecchettin in a statement he gave to a preliminary investigations judge at Verona prison on Tuesday, the young student's lawyer Giovanni Caruso said.
Cecchettin's murder on November 11 has shocked Italy, in part because of the young age of the victim and the alleged murderer and because of the brutality of the killing.
Her body was not found until a week after the homicide, confirming she was dead and had not gone missing after days of intense anxiety for her family.
Turetta, who took flight after the killing and was arrested near Leipzig in Germany on November 19, made the confession in a "spontaneous statement" before the judge.
The Padua university biomedical engineering student wept during Tuesday's interrogation and otherwise used the right to remain silent when asked questions, sources said.
The questioning took place at Verona's Montorio prison, where Turetta arrived on Saturday morning following his extradition from Germany.
He is being held under 24-hour protection for his own safety and will have no contact with prisoners suspected or accused of other types of crimes.
He is said to be "quiet" and has reportedly asked for books and to meet his parents after the interrogation.
On Sunday he met with the prison chaplain.
Turetta is currently being probed for kidnapping and aggravated voluntary homicide but this could change to premeditation in light of the results of the autopsy on December 1 and examination of the car used by the suspect in the alleged kidnapping and femicide.
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