The passing of a well-known Italian DJ in Ibiza has become shrouded in mystery after his heartbroken father accused Spanish police of beating him to death.
Michele Nochese, better known by his stage name DJ Godzi, was reportedly ‘tied hand and foot’ before being ‘punched’ by officers who broke up a party at his house after neighbours complained about the ruckus. He was 35.
Michele’s grieving family have called for his death to be treated as a ‘voluntary homicide’ after his father Giuseppe Nochese, a retired doctor from Naples, revealed in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno that there are obvious ‘signs of the beating’ he endured.
As the results of his autopsy are awaited, Guiseppe pleaded for answers while accusing the Spanish authorities of ‘trying to keep everything quiet’ – despite growing scrutiny of the circumstances around Michele’s death.
‘They can’t beat up a young man for no reason,’ he said. ‘[Michele] was a resident of Ibiza, and therefor a citizen of Ibiza.’
Michele, who had moved to the Balearic island from Naples 10 years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a DJ, reportedly died on July 20.
According to media reports, Michele was hosting a party when neighbours called the Civil Guard to complain about the noise.
Witnesses said the DJ got into a ‘physical altercation’ with the cops before his ‘lifeless body’ was taken straight to the morgue.
This account is reportedly being contradicted by the Civil Guard that claimed Michele was ‘suffering from hallucinations’ while under the influence of drugs, Spanish newspaper Ara reported.
Officers reportedly arrived at his house to find Michele ‘holding a knife’ and threatening his elderly neighbour.
When they tried to restrain Michele, he started convulsing, collapsed and lost vital signs.
Emergency services attempted to revive Michele before he was declared dead, the Civil Guard has reportedly claimed.
Their version is being challenged by Michele’s family members as Giuseppe told the outlet that people present at the house party had told him how his son was beaten to death by the officers ‘for no reason’.
Michele was reportedly punched thrice and ‘not taken to a hospital but directly to the morgue’, he told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
Giusepe is waiting for the results of the autopsy to confirm a cause of death but, to him, it is clear the ‘police messed up’.
‘My family are not looking for revenge…we are looking for justice,’ he told Italian TV channel Tg1.
‘We simply want to understand how the event unfolded and why my son, who was in excellent health, died so tragically.
‘We are asking for a plausible explanation. After that, we will be a little more at peace than we currently are,’ he continued.
The family has sought an independent forensic medical report.
He has decided to have Michele’s body cremated because ‘I can’t bring my son home in a coffin like this’ Giuseppe expressed his horror at the condition of Michele’s body.
‘My wife would die, I don’t think she’ll be able to cope with this situation.’
Along with Michele’s family, Italian politicians are also demanding answers from the Spanish government as Fulvio Martusciello, MEP for the Forza Italia political party, said: ‘We want to know the truth about Michele Noschese’s death.
‘We want to understand what happened and what the Civil Guard’s responsibility is. The sudden death of a young, successful and well-liked Neapolitan, an internationally renowned DJ, cannot remain in the shadows.’
Before he created his music alter ego, DJ Godzi played football for Napoli Primavera and studied economics and commerce in Naples.
His death was first reported by Italian news outlets before it was confirmed by his record label Mood Child Art on Monday.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Michele was remembered as a ‘sincere and colourful’ artist who made ‘music from the heart’ as fans paid tribute to him online.
Godzi – whose stage name is inspired by Godzilla – made Ibiza his home 10 years ago but frequently travelled to London, Paris, Barcelona, and New York for shows.
However, the musician was happiest when he returned to the ‘magic island’ as Michele often expressed gratitude for his life in Ibiza on social media.
Last September, Godzi shared a series of snaps featuring outtakes from shows – including videos of him performing at parties in Ibiza, and captioned it: ‘I’m really blessed to live on this magic island and share moments like these.’
He noted how Ibiza ‘connects people’ in a post uploaded last August and celebrated his return to the city after a two-month tour in the US earlier this year.
‘After two months in America and a month and a half with my family and friends, it’s time to return home – to my island, Ibiza,’ Godzi wrote alongside a series of snaps, including photos of him recording music in his studio.
He teased the release of his new project Gojira – an events company – at the time, as Godzi appeared excited and hopeful for his future.
However, his life was tragically cut short on the night of July 19 when officers of the Civil Guard broke up the house party that would mark Godzi’s last time behind the decks.
