cor beyond 70 million of views, Elisa True Crime has become the channel of crime enthusiasts. Who, enraptured, listen Elise DeMarco – green eyes like the sea of Fuerteventura (which he sees from his window) and angelic features – soften the heinous aspects of the events to the point of making the ruthless tale almost comforting. So that one feels less guilty of voyeurism when one becomes a voyeurism of the human soul.
With Chillshis first book published by Mondadori, has collected a selection of borderline cases: from Korea by Yoo Young-Chul, the killer in the yellow raincoat, to the murder of Katarzyna Zowada, up to the Danilo Restivo affairwho remained free for eighteen years before being sentenced to thirty years’ imprisonment for the murder of Elisa Claps.
Elisa True Crime, a passion born in the family
Who did you talk to about crime for the first time?
With the one person I’ve always felt free to talk to about black for hours: my mom. Like me, he never gets tired. She was the first who encouraged my interest, together with my grandfather. He too told stories, each anecdote becoming compelling. Growing up, things got mixed up: I combined my mum’s passion for true crime with my grandfather’s talent as a storyteller.
Then your husband Edoardo arrived. But he didn’t always want to hear crime stories. So, make up your mind.
At first he didn’t understand what I found so engaging in those situations, perhaps because he had never delved into one. He thought it was a macabre interest, when instead we well know that it is much more. You can learn a lot from these stories, there is a strong psychological component. But today he has completely changed his perspective, he has become a fan of the genre. When he hears a new case he wants to discuss it, get to the bottom of it, try to understand its dynamics.
A portrait of Elisa di Marco.
Let’s take a step back. It’s October 2020 and you’re in Shanghai for his work.
Having the opportunity to follow him in his work travels has always been a great fortune. I love change, I like to experience different realities. We have lived in Bologna, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The latter is the strictest city for work visas, the only one where I could not work. And having always done it, I couldn’t assume otherwise. So I thought of “creating” my own business. Combined the passion for true crime with the ability to tell stories, I thought I’d start creating videos on YouTube. I was already following several American channels with this format, I was sure that many people in Italy would also be passionate about it. And indeed, it was.
“The situations that involve me the most are those involving sects”
You got married at a delicate moment.
We got married during the period of the protests in Hong Kong, another unpleasant moment experienced in Asia before Covid. In December 2019 the city was completely blocked, inside a dangerous protest. The building where the wedding took place was surrounded by riot police. It was a decidedly special day, memorable I would say. An intimate ceremony, with our parents in video call on their mobile phone and 8 dear friends who lived like us in Hong Kong.
Now instead the window opens on Fuerteventura.
Fuerteventura is the first place we could choose. When we understood that the Elisa True Crime channel would become a real job, Edoardo left his company to dedicate that energy to our project.
What was he doing?
He has worked as a manager for clothing companies. And the work behind a YouTube channel like ours is not that different. We are now independent. The first thing we decided to do was go and live where we wanted: somewhere that was always warm, close to the sea, and not too far from Italy. Fuerteventura was the perfect choice.
How soon did you realize that your project was standing strong on its legs?
In fact, almost immediately. At first I didn’t expect anything, so seeing the channel reach over 100,000 subscribers in less than a year was surreal!
«I research and write stories all day, every day»
What fascinates you the most?
The emotional and psychological component of stories. I like to explore the dynamics that are triggered between victim and perpetrator, especially to gain awareness. The situations that involve me the most are those involving sects. The manipulation mechanism inside is subtle, and much more common than we think. The principle is the same that we find in a relationship or in a toxic environment, therefore a reality that we have all encountered at least once in our lives. When we are inside it is difficult to realize it, the indoctrination is very slow and gradual, and often when we realize it it is too late, and even more difficult to get out.
What do we learn?
By recognizing those dynamics, which are often common and tend to repeat themselves, we can defend ourselves and protect the people around us.
Do you also establish contact with the relatives of the victims?
Yes, this is the aspect I love the most. YouTube, if used well, is a very strong communication tool that reaches many people. I am also thinking of young people who no longer watch TV. The families of the victims want to spread their story, which often tells of a great injustice suffered. They wish for disclosure so that it doesn’t happen to other people, to spread awareness.
Six stories are collected in the book: which one involved you the most, and why?
Surely the one dedicated to Danilo Restivo and the disappearance of Elisa Claps. It is a very important case for our country and the dynamics are frightening, if we take into account the fact that Restivo has been free for so long.
The cover of “Brividi”. (Mondadori)
How long do these events stick with you?
Very. I research and write stories all day, every day. At the end of the day, when I turn off my computer, it’s not always easy to put it away and forget about it. I’m committed to doing it, though, because it can be harmful in the long run.
And how do you free yourself from too much involvement?
In the evenings I try to watch some light movies to “wash my brain”, as I like to say. Even though my passion for horror and true crime is so strong that I often find myself even in my spare time watching disturbing films or crime documentaries.
«My “oddities” are my strength»
Who inspires you, if you are inspired by someone.
In the way of telling stories I am not inspired by anyone, in fact I think that the key to the success of my channel is precisely my spontaneity.
With your husband you also have a social travel channel: The Marcos. What is the place in the world that looks like you?
Definitely Hong Kong. I dream of living there one day, although I don’t know if it will ever be possible. It is a magical city where I have left my heart and I hope to return soon even just as a tourist.
Spotting scope on the nose and future projects.
I don’t like looking too far ahead, I face things day by day and I trust my instincts so much: I’ve always made the best choices (even very important ones). So far I’ve never been wrong.
You pat yourself on the back, and you say?
I was good because I made my “oddities” my strength. I lived my interests, judged by many as macabre and strange, and my strong sensitivity as if it were a weakness. For years I struggled to be what I thought others wanted me to be, not realizing that my personality was my strength. I learned this when I was growing up, after years of therapy. So, to answer your question, a pat on the back because I am able to pass these messages through my videos to so many young people, who are feeling exactly the way I felt. During the book signing tour they told me about different experiences, confiding in me that, in some way, I helped them to accept themselves more. Here, to me this is worth more than anything else in the world.
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