Yara's funeral occurred on a warm morning in late May 2011. Spectators applauded the white casket adorned with a large bouquet of white flowers as the hearse made its way slowly towards her gym. The service was held in the sports hall where she had dedicated countless hours to training, and where she was last seen alive. Outside, a large crowd gathered to watch the funeral on a massive screen, listening to the condolences from Giorgio Napolitano, the president of the Republic.

At the time of the funeral, investigators had collected thousands of DNA samples but were still without any solid leads. Near the area where Yara's body was discovered, there was a nightclub named Sabbie Mobili (Quicksand). Ruggeri understood that perpetrators often dispose of bodies in familiar locations, so despite the slim chances, in the spring of 2011, investigators began collecting DNA samples outside the club on busy Fridays and Saturdays. Sabbie Mobili had a reputation for violence - a young man from the Dominican Republic was killed outside its premises on 16 January 2011 - yet the club maintained helpful records. Patrons needed a membership card for entry, making it easier for authorities to identify regular visitors.