US artist found dead in Florence flat as Italian police launch murder probe

Ashley Ann Olsen was reportedly found by her boyfriend, an Italian artist, who alerted the police

American artist Ashley Ann Olsen was found dead in her flat in Florence (Instagram/Ashley Ann Olsen)

A murder investigation has been launched by Italian police after an American artist was found dead in her flat in Florence.

Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, was found in her apartment with bruises and scratches on her neck, according to Italian police.

Local media also reported her boyfriend, described as an Italian artist living in Florence, was the one who discovered the body and alerted the police.

Reports by Italian media say she was strangled to death, although police have declined to confirm this. Florence prosecutors have opened a murder probe into her death.

The Voice of Venice reported Ms Olsen, who was originally from Florida, was found naked on her bed, strangled with a “broken neck”.

Her boyfriend was said to have become worried after not hearing from her for several days following an argument, and went to see Ms Olsen at the flat.

When no one answered the door bell, he asked the apartment’s owner to open the door on Saturday.

He reportedly phoned the police, but she had been dead for hours.

 

#solastyear #2015 #scoutthebeagle #sanfrediano #oltrarno #firenze

A photo posted by Ashley Olsen (@ashleyannolsen) on Jan 3, 2016 at 4:48am PST

Her body was formally identified by her father, who teaches at a school in Florence, according to local TV and newspaper reports.

According to La Repubblica, investigators have seized Ms Olsen’s computer, as well as taken her boyfriend and a group of mostly American friends in for questioning.

Ms Olsen was active on social media, regularly sharing photos of her life in Florence on Instagram and Facebook.

The newspaper said her body was found in a flat she had been living in for the past two years, and was located in Santa Monaca, close to the city centre.