Nearly seventeen years after the murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, Amanda Knox has opened up about the lasting psychological impact of the tragedy. In a recent interview, Knox described being persistently “haunted” by the memory of her former roommate, an experience she frames as a form of survivor’s guilt.
Knox, who was wrongfully convicted and later fully acquitted of Kercher’s 2007 murder, spent four years in an Italian prison before DNA evidence implicated another individual. She has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform.
Reflecting on her life after exoneration, Knox acknowledged the profound difficulty of moving forward. She described a public perception that forever links her identity to the crime, creating a narrative where her mere existence is sometimes viewed as an affront to the memory of the victim.
“In the public consciousness, my life and her death are inextricably linked,” Knox stated. “I understand that perspective because I’ve grappled with it myself—this feeling that I got to live a life that was denied to her.”
Knox elaborated that this connection is not entirely negative. She interprets the enduring presence of Kercher’s memory not as a malicious specter, but as a “benevolent spirit” that reminds her of life’s fragility and value. “It’s a reminder of the privilege it is to live, and the privilege it is to fight for your life,” she said, noting that Kercher fought for hers.
The interview coincides with the upcoming release of Knox’s new book, in which she details her search for meaning following the ordeal. She credits love, time, and her advocacy work with helping her process the trauma.
“Two young women went to study abroad in Italy,” Knox reflected. “Fate decided that one would return home. I am acutely aware of my luck and my gratitude for survival, and that awareness shapes every day.”
