ROME (AP) — A body believed to be that of a Brazilian prostitute involved in a scandal that brought down the governor of the Rome area was found in an apartment fire Friday in the Italian capital, police said.
The woman known as Brenda, one of two transsexual prostitutes linked to former Lazio Region governor Piero Marrazzo in a prostitution scandal, had been questioned by prosecutors earlier this month.
A top Rome police official, Vittorio Rizzi, told The Associated Press that it appeared that the victim was killed by smoke inhalation, although an autopsy was yet to be conducted.
Rizzi said no signs of violence were found on the body, which still awaited formal identification. Investigators were trying to determine whether the fire in Brenda's basement apartment was deliberately set, he said. If arson is found, the investigation could lead to murder charges.
Four policemen were arrested in Rome recently for allegedly attempting to blackmail Marrazzo, found in another Rome apartment last July with a Brazilian transsexual prostitute, known as Natalie.
Saying he was caught up in a "nightmare," Marrazzo resigned in disgrace, a stiff blow to his Democratic Left party, which has been struggling to mount a solid opposition to the governing conservatives of Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
In statements to prosecutors, Marrazzo, a former state TV journalist who is married, has said he occasionally frequented transsexual prostitutes, including Brenda.
Media reports have said there was video evidence of his encounter with Natalie when he was found by the police. But no video has been made public.
Marrazzo has said he wrote three checks to the alleged blackmailers, although they weren't cashed. He claimed he was too ashamed to go to police to denounce the alleged blackmail scheme.
After Brenda was found dead, Marrazzo's lawyer told reporters Friday that authorities should put Natalie under protection. Natalie, mobbed by reporters while getting into a taxi, said she couldn't shed any light on Brenda's death and didn't feel in danger herself.
Other Brazilian transsexuals who are neighbors of Natalie on the outskirts of Rome told reporters Brenda had packed her bags and was planning to return to Brazil, and news reports said two suitcases were found in the apartment left smoking by the blaze.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that Brenda's personal computer was found, soaking wet, in the bathroom sink, and that the computer was taken to police headquarters to be examined.
Rizzi declined to comment on details in news reports.
