Amanda Knox was incarcerated in an Italian prison for almost four years following accusations of killing her roommate while pursuing her studies abroad.
Italy’s Supreme Court exonerated Knox, now 37, in 2015. Today, a decade later, she expressed that she would support her children in pursuing education overseas.
Knox, whose book “Free: My Search for Meaning” has been recently released, shared with Fox News Digital that it inspires students to study abroad and travel. Yet, she cautioned against the hazards of being far from her support system while away from home.
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Amanda Knox, a married mother of two, later traveled to Italy. (Lucien Knutesson)
“Studying abroad is generally a life-altering experience,” Knox remarked. “Interacting with different cultures and stepping outside our comfort zones enhances who we are.”
“I advise everyone heading abroad to remember that you’ve stepped outside your safety net, a part of your life that has always been there to catch you if you stumble or feel lost.
Amanda Knox’s latest book, “Free: My Search for Meaning,” is currently available. (Grand Central Publishing)
Knox emphasized that “this is when we feel like we’re adults, and when we can’t break it if we find ourselves unable to withstand it.”
“Keep in mind that reaching out for assistance doesn’t undermine your independence, especially as a young person,” she advised. “In fact, recognizing when and how to seek help is a significant part of adulthood. Therefore, be more cautious. Don’t hesitate to ask for support. Always turn to those nearby if you have any uncertainties. Rely on your family.”
She also motivated other parents to encourage their children to explore their independence despite concerns.
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Amandanox (right) is seen here in 2011 acknowledging the cheers of her supporters with her mother. (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
“Allow your children to venture out into the world and develop into the exceptional individuals they are destined to be,” she encouraged. “I believe that one of the significant advantages we have now is our ability to stay connected more than we could during our study abroad experiences.
“Keep in touch, be present, offer support, and be there. Being an attentive listener is crucial advice I provide to parents. Children often resist directives, but it’s essential to create a supplementary safety net by being attentive to their needs.”
“Pay attention to what your child is telling you,” Knox emphasized.
Knox noted that her eldest son, aged 3, has begun to ask questions and slowly open up about her history.
Amandanox will appear on the set of Rai Studios’ TV program “Cinque Minuti” in Rome on June 10, 2024. (Antonio Macielo/Getty Images)
“My daughter is quite insightful and hasn’t yet grasped tragedy,” Knox shared. “She understands that life can be unfair, but she approaches the world playfully, as if it were a fairy tale. Communicating with her in a playful manner, even about the most difficult experiences of my life, means a lot.”
“She plays, ‘Mom, let’s go to Italy together,'” Knox added. “She suggested that if we visit the park and there’s a bar, she would like to shake them and say, ‘Let me out!'”
“It’s amusing and gives it a fresh perspective… She is aware that I have been sad for a long time, knowing that my friend was deeply hurt.
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British student Meredith Kercher tragically lost her life on November 1, 2007. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
In her publication, Knox frequently noted that many believe she will never return to Italy. She mentioned that some even apologize for suggesting that she dine in Italian restaurants. Despite her experience in Italy, she continues to cherish the nation’s culinary delights and culture.
Knox made a trip back to Italy in 2019 to speak at the Criminal Justice Conference organized by the Italian Innocence Project.
Amanda Knox expresses herself during a panel titled “Media Trials” at a criminal justice festival held at the University of Law in Northern Italy on June 15, 2019. Knox was exonerated on March 27, 2015. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images)
The Seattle native was a 20-year-old student studying abroad when British student Meredith Kercher was discovered deceased due to a stabbing incident in 2007. The 21-year-old was found in a cottage she shared with two Italian roommates.
Amanda Knox is seen being escorted by Italian police from a court in Perugia on September 16, 2008, following a hearing related to the murder of Meredith Kercher. (Antonio Kalani / AP)
This incident garnered worldwide attention as doubts were cast on Knox and her boyfriend, Rafaelle Solesito, almost immediately. However, another individual from Ivory Coast, Rudy Guede, was ultimately convicted of the murder as DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene. The European court mandated Italy to compensate Knox due to police negligence, highlighting her vulnerability as a foreign student lacking proficiency in Italian.
Amanda Knox and her then-boyfriend Rafaelle Solesito, outside the rental house in Perugia where 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher lost her life. (File photo/AP)
Knox returned to the United States in 2011 after her release by the Perugia Court of Appeals and became an advocate for individuals wrongfully convicted. Over time, she has worked to clear the names of those wrongfully accused.
As of now, Knox holds a position on the board of the Innocence Center, a nonprofit law firm dedicated to liberating innocent individuals from incarceration. She also regularly discusses the impact of notorious cases on families through a podcast she co-hosts with her husband, titled “Labyrinths.”
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Rudy Guede (right) was ultimately convicted of murder after his DNA was located at the scene. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
Guede, now 37, was released in 2021 after serving most of his 16-year sentence.
This January, Italy’s highest court upheld a slander verdict against Knox for identifying innocent man Patrick Lumumba as her flatmate’s murderer.
Knox’s legal team argued she accused Lumumba, a Congolese man who employed her at a bar, during extensive police interrogations. The European Court of Human Rights highlighted that authorities had prevented her from meeting her lawyer and had provided a translator who acted more like a mediator.
Patrick Lumumba speaks to reporters outside the Court of Palazzo di Zutigia during the final verdict for Amanda Knox and Rafaelle Solesito, on March 25, 2015. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
Based on Knox’s declarations, Lumumba was interrogated despite being exonerated. Consequently, his business suffered, and he later relocated to Poland with his wife. He stated that Knox “has yet to apologize to me.”
Knox is not facing any additional prison time. She has been engaged in legal efforts to vindicate her name.
Amanda Knox arriving with her husband Christopher Robinson for a court hearing in Florence on June 5, 2024, regarding a slander case linked to her 2007 imprisonment and later acquittal for the murder of her British roommate. (Tigiana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)
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In a recent podcast episode, Knox expressed, “I loathe having to live with the repercussions of my past crimes.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
