Salvatore "Toto" Riina, the Sicilian Mafia boss, died from cancer in the prisoner wing of a hospital in Parma, Italy. He was 87 and serving multiple prison sentences for ordering more than 150 murders.
The “boss of all bosses” passed away on Friday morning, a day after his birthday, The Guardian reported. He had been put into a medically induced coma after his health deteriorated following two recent surgeries.
His family received special permission to visit him on Thursday to say goodbye.
According to BBC News, Riina was believed to have been suffering from kidney cancer, a heart condition and Parkinson's disease.
The image of a man in failing health in his final days was in stark contrast to the man who was widely feared as head of the Cosa Nostra.
He joined the local Sicily Mafia at 19, gaining entry through murder, and spent six years behind bars as a result, BBC said.
Upon his release, Salvatore Riina rejoined the Mafia and climbed through the ranks to become boss in 1974.
His reign dominated the Cosa Nostra crime group throughout the 1970s, and he became known as one of the most savage Mafia leaders, coining the nickname "The Beast.”
Riina was arrested in Sicily in 1993, The Independent reported, and put under strict security that kept him in isolation with limited outside contact.
His two sons, Giovanni and Giuseppe Riina, continued the Mafia tradition.
Both were arrested, with Giovanni Riina receiving life in prison for four murders, and his brother spent several years behind bars, ABC News reported.
Riina left behind his wife and two daughters.
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