Man arrested in Italy for keeping mummified body of mother to continue receiving pension
A 58-year-old man was arrested on Monday afternoon (24) in Castiglione delle Stiviere, province of Mântua, in the region of Lombardia, Itália. Ele was trying to renew his deceased mother’s identity card, dressed in feminine clothing, makeup and sunglasses. The action aimed to maintain the receipt of the pension of the elderly woman, identified as Graziella dall’Oglio, aged 86.
Police officers noticed the disguise during the service at the registry office and called backup. No property where the two lived, authorities found the woman’s mummified body, sitting on a chair in the living room. The case gained national attention after images of the arrest circulated on social media.
Prison Details
The suspect arrived at the registry office desk wearing a faux fur coat, floral blouse and leggings. Funcionários noticed a deep voice and large hands, which raised immediate suspicion.
When questioned, the man confessed to being the elderly woman’s son and said that his mother had died “some time ago”. The police were called and accompanied the suspect to the residence.
Body condition
The corpse of Graziella dall’Oglio was in an advanced state of natural mummification. The body remained sitting on a chair in the living room, wearing ordinary clothes.
Preliminary examinations indicate that death occurred several years ago. The position and dry environment of the house favored the preservation of the tissues.
There are no obvious signs of violence. Forensics work to determine the exact date of death and the cause.
Investigation underway
The city hall of Castiglione delle Stiviere reported that Graziella had not been seen in the city for around ten years. Mesmo therefore, the pension continued to be deposited monthly into a bank account.
The son received the benefit and made regular withdrawals. The monthly pension amount is around 1,000 euros.
Authorities are investigating the crime of hiding a corpse and fraud against the Italian social security system. The suspect remains in preventive custody.
Local repercussion
Residents of the village reported that the man lived as a recluse and rarely left the house. Alguns neighbors believed that the elderly woman was still alive, as they saw clothes on the line.
Mayor Massimo Caliaro stated that the municipality never received a formal report about the disappearance. Serviços social services did not carry out regular visits to the property.
Next steps
The Italian police are awaiting a complete necroscopic report to confirm the exact time of death. Exames of DNA will officially certify the identity of the body.
Instituto Nacional of Previdência Social (INPS) opened an internal procedure to investigate the undue payment. Valores received after death must be returned.
The case remains under partial secrecy, with monitoring by Ministério Público of Mântua.
