Antonella Mattina disappeared on July 16, 1984. She was twelve years old. Her remains were found in a shallow grave on Thanksgiving, 1987. She had been stabbed multiple times in her chest. She was identified by dental records.
Officially, her case is unsolved. However, an eyewitness had pointed the authorities in the direction of Alex J. Mengel. Interesting note: Alex has a brother, Gustav. Antonella had been last seen with a man resembling the brothers.
Alex J. Mengel has an extensive criminal record, you can read about that here. Now check his brother Gustav. He “was convicted in 2001 of two counts of sexual battery upon a thirteen year old girl, he spent nine and a half years in a Florida State prison. In 2011, he was arrested again for sexual battery on a childless than twelve years of age, there is no disposition in regards to this case.” This quote comes from the book Unearthing a Serial Killer.
According to the above-mentioned book “Alex Mengel’s older brother, Gustav, an electrician, lived at 31-18 Union Street in Flushing at the time of Antonella’s disappearance, just six blocks from the Linden Vue Shopping Center where Antonella was last seen.”
There is a petition online from concerned citizens to get renewed attention for this case. Next year is the 40th anniversary of Antonella’s disappearance. The family is still searching for answers.
Rest in peace, Antonella Mattina. 