ROME (AP) — Police say they believe a body found in a fire in Rome is that of a Brazilian transsexual involved in a scandal that brought down the area's governor.
Investigators say they presume the corpse found Friday in a basement apartment is that of Brenda, one of two transsexuals linked to former Lazio governor Piero Marrazzo.
While waiting for autopsy results, police say it appears smoke inhalation killed the man. Police don't know if arson was involved.
Four policemen have been arrested recently for allegedly attempting to blackmail Marrazzo, found with a transsexual prostitute in July. Marrazzo subsequently resigned.
The scandal dealt a blow to leftists, the main opposition to Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservatives.
