Into The Dark Podcast - Episode 120: The Missing Vatican Girl - Emanuela Orlandi
Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host: Payton Moreland
Produced by: OH NO MEDIA
Introduction
In Episode 120 of Into The Dark, host Payton Moreland delves into one of Italy's most enigmatic and enduring cold cases: the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi. Referred to as Italy's equivalent of the JFK assassination, this case has spawned numerous theories intertwining true crime, conspiracy, and the intricate politics of the Vatican.
The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi
On June 22, 1983, 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi vanished under seemingly ordinary circumstances. Residing in Vatican City—a sovereign city-state encircled by Rome—Emanuela left her home to attend a music lesson. Vatican City, primarily inhabited by clergy and officials serving the Catholic Church, granted her family residency due to their long-standing service across seven popes.
Quote:
"She told her parents she'd be back in a few more hours and not to worry." ([02:15])
Emanuela's routine included frequent trips to Rome for various activities, making her disappearance all the more perplexing given her responsible nature and adherence to curfew.
Initial Investigation and Police Response
Upon failing to return home, Emanuela's parents swiftly reported her missing. However, jurisdictional challenges emerged as Vatican City and Rome operate separate police forces. The Roman authorities dismissed the case as that of a runaway, largely due to prejudiced remarks made by an officer who minimized Emanuela's likelihood of abduction based on her appearance.
Quote:
"I wouldn't worry, she's actually not really that pretty." ([04:10])
Emanuela's parents, recognizing the lack of urgency from the police, took proactive measures to publicize her disappearance, including distributing flyers and placing advertisements to keep her case in the public eye.
The Mysterious Phone Calls from "The American"
Amidst the turmoil, a man known as "the American" began making ominous phone calls to the Orlandi family. Claiming responsibility for Emanuela's disappearance, he demanded the release of Mehmet Oliogka—convicted for attempting to assassinate Pope John Paul II—in exchange for Emanuela's safe return. The family's distress was compounded by disturbing background noises during the calls, which they feared signaled Emanuela's suffering.
Quote:
"If you don't cooperate, I am going to kill Emanuela." ([07:45])
The police, however, dismissed these calls as potential hoaxes, attributing the background noises to adult content rather than evidence of foul play.
The Pope's Cryptic Comments
Twelve days post-disappearance, Pope John Paul II referenced Emanuela during a public speech, expressing hope for her safe return. This unexpected mention raised suspicions among Emanuela's family, particularly her brother Pietro, who questioned whether the Pope possessed undisclosed information about her fate.
Quote:
"I hope she will be returned to her family now." ([10:30])
Pietro interpreted this as a possible indication of the Vatican's deeper involvement or knowledge regarding her disappearance.
Pietro's Meeting with Pope Francis
Fast forward to March 2013, Pietro met with Pope Francis, who assertively stated that Emanuela was "in heaven." This declaration further fueled Pietro's belief that the Vatican held secrets about his sister's fate, leaving him grappling with unanswered questions.
Quote:
"Emanuela is in heaven." ([11:20])
The Anonymous Tip from "Isabella"
An anonymous source, referred to as Isabella, claimed to have been Emanuela's close friend. Isabella recounted a week-long period before Emanuela vanished, during which Emanuela expressed concerns about a high-ranking Vatican official who was allegedly harassing her. This revelation suggested a motive rooted in the Church's internal affairs and potential abuse of power.
Quote:
"She was talking about a high-ranking individual in the Church who had been bothering her." ([12:50])
The Leaked Memo and Vatican's Denial
In 2012, Pietro published a book detailing his quest for answers. Subsequently, an official from the Vatican sent a memo denying involvement in Emanuela's disappearance while simultaneously revealing that the Church had conducted its own investigation. The memo included screenshots of WhatsApp conversations among church officials, hinting at knowledge of Emanuela's presumed death and burial location—a graveyard maintained by the Vatican.
Quote:
"We have no idea what happened to Emanuela and had nothing to do with her disappearance." ([13:15])
Despite the gravity of these revelations, the Vatican later declared the memo a hoax, with experts supporting the authenticity concerns.
The 2019 Graveyard Investigation
In 2019, following a new anonymous tip, Pietro's legal team obtained permission to search a supposed burial site within a Vatican-owned graveyard. Contrary to expectations, the tomb intended for a deceased German princess was empty, and an undisclosed concealed chamber containing thousands of bones was uncovered. Though the bones were too old to belong to Emanuela, the empty graves raised further suspicions about the Vatican's transparency.
Alternative Theories
Multiple theories have emerged regarding Emanuela's fate:
- Organized Crime: Links between the Mafia's activities in Rome during the 1980s and potential involvement in her kidnapping.
- Serial Killer: Speculation that Emanuela and another missing teenage girl were victims of the same unidentified murderer.
- Family Betrayal: Accusations against Emanuela's uncle for inappropriate behavior, later disproven by a solid alibi.
Quote:
"It's hard to say which theories are credible because so much is disputed." ([14:50])
Current Status and Ongoing Efforts
After decades without resolution, persistent efforts by Emanuela's family—including media exposure through books and a Netflix series—have pressured both the Vatican and the Italian government to reopen investigations. In 2023, the Vatican confirmed the existence of internal files on the case but withheld details, promising future cooperation with authorities.
Quote:
"Only time will tell if these efforts will uncover anything new." ([15:05])
Despite 41 years passing since her disappearance, Emanuela remains missing, with her status—alive or deceased—still unknown.
Conclusion
The case of Emanuela Orlandi remains a labyrinth of unanswered questions and speculative theories. Payton Moreland emphasizes the unwavering determination of her family, whose relentless pursuit of truth underscores the complexities of intersecting faith, power, and justice within the Vatican's walls. As new leads occasionally surface, the hope for closure persists, embodying the eternal quest to illuminate the shadows "Into The Dark."
Final Thought by Host:
"Sadly, until her disappearance is solved, the truth will always be up for debate." ([15:38])
Note: This summary excludes all advertisement segments and non-content portions of the podcast, focusing solely on the narrative and investigative elements discussed in the episode.