Firefighters discovered the decomposing remains of a woman in her home, two years after her death.
Marinella Beretta was last seen by neighbours in September 2019.
The 70-year-old lived near Lake Como in Lombardy. Neighbours assumed she had moved away around the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. Sadly, this wasn’t true.
On February 4, 2022, the Como fire brigade and police visited Beretta’s property after complaints about a fallen tree and unsafe garden conditions during high winds.
Woman’s body ‘found sitting in a chair at home’ 2 years after she died https://t.co/TkyXxkCVDJ pic.twitter.com/ORxWGkwAnY
— The Independent (@Independent) September 9, 2024
They found Beretta’s body inside her home, confirmed Francesca Manfredi from Como City Hall. SkyTg24 reported she was found sitting in her living room chair.
The medical examiner concluded Beretta died towards the end of 2019, based on the decomposition level.
Police found no evidence of foul play, according to a Sky News report.
Beretta’s discovery led to calls for better elderly care in Italy. Family and equal opportunities minister Elena Bonetti expressed that her ‘forgotten loneliness hurts consciences.’
In a Facebook post, Bonetti wrote (translated): “Remembering her life is the duty of a community that wants to stick together… Taking care of each other is the experience of families, institutions, and our citizens. No one has to be left alone.”
Como mayor Mario Landriscina encouraged locals to attend Beretta’s funeral and to reflect on her death.
He remarked: “It is a tragedy that occurred in a context complicated by the pandemic, from a closed and isolated city. Who knows how much this woman suffered. Now is the time to give witness and I invite the city to be present.”
Landriscina stated that the local government would handle the funeral arrangements and that he would attempt to attend, adding: “This is the moment to be together, and even if this woman had no relatives, we could become her relatives.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and need support, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Inside Edition reports the disturbing story of Marinella Beretta, a 70-year-old Italian woman whose mummified body was found sitting at her kitchen table, two years after her death.(read more)
- People reports the shocking discovery of Marinella Beretta’s mummified body sitting at a table in her home, two years after her death, with no known cause of death and no evidence of foul play. The discovery has sparked a national conversation about loneliness and elder care in Italy.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Marinella Beretta?
Marinella Beretta was a 70-year-old woman found deceased in her home near Lake Como, Italy.
When was Marinella Beretta last seen alive?
She was last seen by her neighbors in September 2019.
How was Marinella Beretta’s body discovered?
Firefighters found her body after responding to complaints about a fallen tree in her garden.
Was foul play suspected in Marinella Beretta’s death?
No, police did not find any evidence of foul play.
What actions were taken after Beretta’s death was discovered?
Local officials called for better elderly care, and the mayor invited residents to her funeral.