With The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox now streaming on Hulu, attention has once again turned to one of the most infamous murder cases of the 21st century: the 2007 killing of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy. While Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito endured years of trials, appeals, and wrongful imprisonment before their eventual exoneration, the man ultimately convicted of the crime—Rudy Guede—remains a figure of enduring controversy.
Now, more than a decade after Kercher’s death, Guede is back in the headlines for reasons eerily reminiscent of his violent past.
The Case That Shook the World
Meredith Kercher’s death gripped the global media. Early suspicions centered on Amanda Knox, Kercher’s American roommate, and Raffaele Sollecito, Knox’s boyfriend at the time. Both were convicted, acquitted, and reconvicted in a legal saga that played out for years before Italy’s highest court cleared them in 2015.
Amid the chaos, Guede’s name often floated in the background—until it didn’t. His DNA was found in Kercher’s bedroom, on her bra, and on a bloody handprint left on her pillow. Unlike Knox and Sollecito, Guede admitted he was with Kercher the night she died, though he denied killing her. Tried separately in a fast-track proceeding, he was convicted of murder in 2008 and sentenced to 30 years, later reduced to 16.
He served 13 years before being released in 2021.
Where Is Rudy Guede Now?
Freedom has not kept Guede away from the justice system. According to Italian media, he is currently awaiting trial for charges of sexual assault and violence against a former girlfriend, with proceedings scheduled for fall 2025.
Investigators say the case is backed by extensive digital evidence: more than 100,000 photographs, along with thousands of chats and audio messages exchanged between Guede and the alleged victim. The woman—whose identity has not been disclosed—reportedly began dating Guede while he was still incarcerated. Their relationship ended in 2023, when she accused him of abuse.
If convicted, Guede could once again face a lengthy prison sentence.
Amanda Knox Responds
For Amanda Knox, whose life was upended by her wrongful conviction, Guede’s latest legal troubles are more than just a headline. Speaking on her Hard Knox podcast, she did not hold back.
“He’s the guy who actually killed my roommate,” she said bluntly. “He broke into my home, left his DNA all over Meredith’s body and belongings, and then fled the country.”
Knox also pointed out that Guede never faced accountability for everything tied to the original case, noting, “There are a number of crimes he committed that he wasn’t even charged with, including slander against me and Raffaele.”
She described him as “generally a bad dude,” citing reports that in his most recent relationship, he was allegedly violent, manipulative, and abusive. For Knox, the similarities between the allegations now and the violence Kercher suffered nearly two decades ago are hard to ignore.
“I’m starting to notice a lot of things people aren’t noticing,” she explained. “These crimes against this new woman are suggestive of the crimes he did to Meredith.”
History Repeating Itself?
Guede’s story continues to ignite debate about justice, rehabilitation, and whether violent offenders can truly change. His release in 2021 sparked mixed reactions, with some in Italy believing he had served his time and others concerned about the lack of remorse he seemed to show.
The new allegations cast a troubling light on those fears. While everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the disturbing parallels between Kercher’s case and the current charges suggest a man with a troubling pattern of behavior.
A Case That Refuses to Fade
Nearly 18 years after Meredith Kercher’s death, the names attached to her case still dominate headlines—Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, and Rudy Guede. For Knox, reclaiming her story has been a years-long effort, both to clear her name and to honor the memory of her roommate. Yet Guede’s looming presence, both past and present, continues to complicate that narrative.
With a new trial on the horizon, the world may soon see whether Guede faces fresh accountability for his actions. What remains certain is that his story is far from over—and that Meredith Kercher’s legacy will forever remain intertwined with his.
