Cagliari Court Judge Giorgio Altieri rejected a request to extend the investigation into the death of Manuela Murgia, the fifteen-year-old girl found dead in the Tuvixeddu Canyon on February 4, 1995.

Now, Public Prosecutor Guido Pani can continue investigating for another four months (because the deadline for the murder case expires a year and a half after the case is reopened). Starting October 26, he will have 10 days to submit requests: dismissal or indictment of Enrico Astero, the girl's ex-boyfriend, who is now under investigation for murder.

The Murgia family's lawyers have requested that forensic medical examinations be conducted into the circumstances of the death and that the unidentified male genetic profile taken from the hair found in the victim's boot be entered into the national database. The expert report conducted during the preliminary investigation has already ruled out the attribution of this profile to Astero.

"These are clearly complex investigations," the judge wrote, "but they are not directed against Astero, and therefore cannot justify continuing the investigation against him."

The case could remain open against unknown persons.

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