Berlin Attack Hits North End As Frattaroli Family Mourns the Loss of Cousin Fabrizia Di Lorenzo

After days of waiting by the phone, the Frattaroli Family of Boston’s North End have received confirmation their cousin Fabrizia Di Lorenzo was killed in the tragic Berlin Christmas Market terror attack on December 19th.  The family has issued the following statement:

We are heartbroken to learn that our beloved cousin, Fabrizia Di Lorenzo, was killed in the heartless attack at the Christmas Market in Berlin.  DNA testing has confirmed today that she is one of the victims.  We send our love to her parents Gaetano and Giovanna and to her brother Gerardo and to all our family in Sulmona, Italy.  Members of our family are making plans to go to Italy in the coming days. Fabrizia dedicated her life to the ideals of cooperation and understanding between peoples and nations.  Though she was taken from us we know her ideals will live on. God bless you Fabrizia- ti vogliamo bene.

A large truck was driven through the crowded market at Breitscheidplatz Square in Berlin on Monday, December 19th, killing 12 people and injuring 48 more. The Christmas market had stalls with holiday gifts, crafts and food where Ms. Lorenzo was shopping. German authorities are investigating the incident as an “act of terror” with unconfirmed ISIS sources taking credit.

Ms. Lorenzo was 31 years old and a transport specialist working in Berlin. She is a 2012 graduate of the University of Bologna who worked for Bosch and most recently for a supply chain management company, 4Flow.

In response to the Berlin attack, Boston authorities have placed barriers and additional security at the Boston Winter market on City Hall Plaza. Police say there is no specific concern in the city, but they are prepared for a potential copycat situation. The truck style attack in Berlin was similar to one that took place a year earlier in Nice, France that killed dozens of people and believed to have been carried out by Islamist militants.

The Frattaroli family hails from Sulmona, Italy where Ms. Lorenzo grew up. In Boston’s North End, the Frattaroli’s are well-known for their community involvement and Italian restaurants including Lucia, Filippo’s, Ducali, Artu, Ward 8 and Il Molo.