Amanda Knox: Case Background
A Murder Abroad That Shook the World
Hello Sleuths, In this post, we dive into the chilling case of Amanda Knox and the brutal murder of Meredith Kercher. We'll explore who the victim was, what led to the international media storm, the early days of the investigation, and how the Perugia murder case became one of the most controversial legal sagas in recent history. You’ll also find recommendations for true crime fans ready to sleuth deeper—and a sneak peek at the next post in this series: Key Witnesses and Suspects.
Who Was Meredith Kercher?
Meredith Kercher was a bright, 21-year-old British exchange student studying in Perugia, Italy. Known for her warmth, intelligence, and infectious smile, she was described by friends and family as genuine, positive, and hardworking. She had overcome numerous challenges to achieve her dream of studying abroad, immersing herself in the Italian language and culture.
Her life was tragically cut short just three months into her semester abroad.
Amanda Knox Case: The Discovery
On the morning of November 2, 2007, Meredith Kercher’s body was discovered in her locked bedroom—covered by a duvet and soaked in blood. She had suffered multiple stab wounds and signs of sexual assault. The horrific scene stunned the quiet hillside town of Perugia.
Earlier that morning, Amanda Knox had returned to the apartment she shared with Meredith after spending the night at her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito’s flat. What she encountered was strange, but not immediately alarming: the front door was ajar, and there were a few small drops of blood in the bathroom sink—easily dismissed as a shaving cut.
Amanda took a shower, noting more blood on the bathmat. But it wasn’t until she saw unflushed feces in the toilet that a true sense of unease set in. She couldn’t reach Meredith. The apartment was eerily silent.
Amanda called Raffaele, who came over to help. The two discovered a broken window in a roommate’s bedroom, and they attempted—unsuccessfully—to open Meredith’s locked door. Realizing something was terribly wrong, they contacted the police. When authorities arrived and kicked in the door, they found Meredith’s body.
Her throat had been slashed. Blood soaked the mattress. The crime scene was gruesome and deeply disturbing.
The Early Investigation and International Spotlight
From the moment the crime was discovered, the Amanda Knox trial became an international murder case, drawing intense attention from media outlets in Italy, the U.S., and the U.K.
Amanda and Raffaele were questioned immediately. Amanda explained she had spent the previous night with Raffaele. They cooked dinner, watched a movie, smoked pot, read from a Harry Potter book, made love, and went to sleep. She had received a text from her boss saying she wasn’t needed at her part-time job that night, so she stayed in.
What happened next would define her life for years.
Amanda was interrogated for over 50 hours across four days, under intense pressure, sleep deprivation, and without legal counsel. She later claimed she was manipulated into signing a false confession, implicating herself and local bar owner Patrick Lumumba—who was later proven innocent with a solid alibi.
Investigators pointed to tensions between Amanda and Meredith over housecleaning and lifestyle differences. Amanda’s behavior at the scene—seen hugging and kissing Raffaele—was viewed as inappropriate. Italian police and prosecutors built a narrative of jealousy, sex games gone wrong, and sinister American promiscuity.
The media ran wild with it.
The Trials: From Conviction to Exoneration
In 2009, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of Meredith Kercher’s murder. Amanda received a 26-year sentence; Raffaele was sentenced to 25 years. The Amanda Knox trial dominated headlines worldwide and led to fierce debates over cultural bias, media ethics, and forensic reliability.
Amanda was sent to Capanne Prison outside Perugia. She spent nearly four years behind bars, maintaining her innocence.
In 2011, after an appeals trial revealed critical flaws in the forensic evidence—including contamination of the crime scene and mishandling of DNA samples—the convictions were overturned, and Amanda and Raffaele were acquitted.
But the case wasn’t over.
In 2013, Italy’s Supreme Court annulled the acquittal, citing “contradictions and deficiencies,” and ordered a retrial. In 2014, the pair were found guilty again, reigniting international outrage.
Finally, in March 2015, the highest court in Italy definitively exonerated Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, citing “stunning flaws in the investigation,” procedural irregularities, and insufficient evidence. The ruling declared them innocent.
Why This Case Still Haunts Us
The Amanda Knox documentary "Amanda Knox" (Netflix) and other media have reignited debate about the Perugia case, the ethics of tabloid journalism, and how easy it is for innocent people to be swept up in flawed systems. The case has become a cautionary tale for travelers, students abroad, and justice systems worldwide.
For true crime fans, this is more than a story of murder—it's a mystery, a media circus, and a lesson in how truth can get buried beneath headlines.
🕵️ Sleuth Like a Pro: Resources
There are many many resources out there about this case. I like these, They are well organized, researched and entertaining.
🎥 Watch: Amanda Knox (Netflix), The Face of an Angel, or Is Amanda Knox Guilty?
(48 Hours)
🎧 Listen: The Murder of Meredith Kercher (Crime Junkie), Unraveled: Experts on Amanda Knox (Wondery)
🎮 Play: If you love crime stories, try our murder mystery game—with complex characters, layered clues, and plot twists inspired by real-life cases. Check out our game now →
🕵️♀️ Coming Next: Key Witnesses & Suspects
In the next blog post, we’ll examine the other people involved in the Perugia murder case—including Rudy Guede, another person charged with Meredith’s murder—and explore what investigators got right (and very wrong).