Italian authorities are investigating a shocking case of deception where a 56-year-old man allegedly dressed as his deceased mother to fraudulently claim her pension while hiding her mummified body in their family home for approximately three years.
The Bizarre Disguise Uncovered
The unemployed nurse from Mantua reportedly underwent what newspapers have described as a 'Mrs Doubtfire-style transformation', carefully applying makeup and wearing his mother's clothes and jewellery to impersonate the 82-year-old woman. His elaborate charade allegedly included wearing lipstick, foundation, a necklace and old-style earrings when visiting government offices to renew his mother's identity card.
According to local reports, the man had even cut his hair in a similar style to his late mother, Graziella Dall'Oglio, who passed away around three years ago. Instead of reporting her death, he allegedly wrapped her body in bed sheets, placed it in a sleeping bag and concealed it within their home where it remained until reaching a clear state of mummification.
Suspicious Arise at Town Hall
The man's deception began to unravel earlier this month when he visited the government office in the suburb of Borgo Virgilio on the outskirts of Mantua. Francesco Aporti, the mayor of Borgo Virgilio, told Corriere della Sera newspaper that despite the convincing feminine attire, several physical features raised suspicions.
'His neck was too thick and his wrinkles were odd', Mayor Aporti observed, adding that 'the skin on his hands didn't seem to be that of an 85-year-old woman'. The mayor also noted that while the impersonator's voice was generally feminine, it occasionally dipped into a more masculine tone.
A quick-thinking employee at the town hall noticed these discrepancies and promptly alerted both police and local authorities, setting in motion the investigation that would uncover the grisly truth.
Grisly Discovery and Financial Motive
Following the man's arrest, police conducted a search of the family home where they made the disturbing discovery of Ms Dall'Oglio's mummified remains stashed in the laundry room. The body had been wrapped in bed sheets and concealed within a sleeping bag.
Investigators revealed that the suspect had been collecting his mother's pension, providing him with an annual income of approximately £47,000. Reports also indicated he possessed a property portfolio of three houses. The financial gain appears to have been the primary motivation for the macabre scheme.
Authorities compared official photographs of the real Ms Dall'Oglio with those taken of her son during his impersonation attempt, confirming their suspicions about the fraudulent activity.
The man now faces investigation for illegal concealment of a body and benefit fraud. While the mother is believed to have died from natural causes, this will be formally determined through a post-mortem examination at the local hospital's mortuary where her remains have been transported.
Mayor Aporti reflected on the case, describing it as 'a very strange story and very, very sad', highlighting the tragic dimensions of this extraordinary criminal investigation that reads more like a dark comedy plot than real-life events.
