A woman who testified against her own father after her mother was murdered in a high-profile mafia case in Italy is believed to have taken her own life. Denise Cosco was found critically injured on Sunday and later died in a hospital in Rome. Her mother, Lea Garofalo, was killed in 2009 in a case linked to the 'Ndrangheta, a powerful and secretive organized crime group in southern Italy. Garofalo became a symbol of resistance against the mafia after she testified against the clan, helping to bring some of its members to justice. Cosco, who was just 35 when she died, was the same age her mother was when she was murdered. Those close to Cosco remember her as a brave witness who testified against her father during his trial, but also as someone who faced significant personal struggles in the years that followed. Enza Rando, a senator and anti-mafia lawyer who represented Cosco during the trial, described her death as "a profound wound for the entire country." She said the tragedy showed how the mafia not only kills, but also leaves lasting emotional scars on those who survive. Francesca Rispoli, co-president of the anti-mafia organization Libera, said Cosco's death highlighted the challenges faced by those who try to escape organized crime. "The mafia isn't just physical," she said. "You can leave and change your name, but the family tie remains deep inside and is hard to overcome." Cosco had lived under state protection for many years, using a new name and identity to stay safe. However, she had recently reconnected with her father, Carlo Cosco, who was in prison. Friends say she struggled with mental health issues and addiction. Rispoli said people like Cosco, who try to lead a new life after breaking away from organized crime, need long-term support. She noted that the 'Ndrangheta, in particular, often involves close family networks, which can make it difficult to fully escape the past. Cosco had always refused to believe her father's claim that her mother had left to start a new life in Australia. In reality, he had lured Garofalo to a meeting and had her killed, her body dismembered and burned. Years later, a statement by one of the killers allowed police to recover some remains and a necklace, which Cosco identified. At her mother’s funeral in 2013, Cosco spoke of her mother's courage in fighting for justice. Her father and three accomplices were already serving life sentences. During the trial, Cosco described herself as a "proud witness for justice" and said she chose to testify from behind a screen to gain "inner freedom" to start over. Authorities have now opened an investigation into whether there was any incitement to suicide, and Cosco's phone has been seized for analysis. Friends and supporters were set to gather in Milan to remember her near the site where her mother was abducted. Luigi Ciotti, president of Libera, wrote that Cosco's life had been defined by a difficult balance between courage and suffering. He said that with her death, something in that fragile balance was broken forever.