The bodies of a wealthy Italian couple were found mummified in their luxury villa after they apparently died months ago and no one noticed.
The lifeless bodies of retired dentist Marco Steffenoni, 75, and his wife Maria Teresa Nizzola, 76, were found by shocked urban explorers who entered what they thought was an abandoned luxury villa in the Verona area, in Italy, in mid-March.
The couple's last letter in their letterbox dated back to 24th October 2024, with Italian reports on 17th April saying that even more shockingly, none of their relatives had claimed them.
Picture shows Maria Teresa Nizzola, 76, undated. She and her husband have been likely dead for at least four months. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
Their bodies are still at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Borgo Roma hospital, with the city of Verona set to foot the bill for their burial.
But in a report on 19th April, Paolo Steffenoni, reportedly Marco's brother, told local media: "My brother and his wife have not been forgotten.
"I am my brother's only close relative and I immediately took action to ensure he and Maria Teresa are given a dignified burial. But first, it was necessary to understand their last wishes."
He added: “Marco and Maria Teresa had not been abandoned. They lived apart by choice. Theirs was a life of travel, nature, and charity.”
Picture shows Marco Steffenoni, 75, undated. He and his wife have been likely dead for at least four months. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
According to their brother, the two had long expressed their desire to leave all their assets to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), an association of which they had been members since the 1980s.
He said: "The documents were kept by a notary from Emilia."
He said that the documents reveal that Marco wished to be buried in his wife's family chapel, in a small town in the Mantua area, and confirmed his intention to leave the entire estate to the environmental association.
The value of the estate is currently unclear, although the villa, located in Monte Ricco, was owned by Marco, while Maria Teresa came from a wealthy family in the Mantua area and owned several properties.
The WWF said that it has been informed of the possibility of being the couple's sole heir and has instructed its lawyers to verify the documents.
Picture shows the villa where the mummified couple was found between Verona and Negrar in Italy, undated. They were found dead by a group of kids who had broken into the house. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
The organisation said: "We want to make sure that we fully respect the couple's wishes, including with regard to their burial."
But the case has taken an unusual turn, with reports saying that Maria Teresa had multiple wills.
It will now be up to the experts to establish which document is the most recent.
The authorities also need to determine if Marco or Maria Teresa died first as this will determine which side of the family inherits the estate.
According to the autopsy, the husband died of a heart attack, while the causes of his wife's death are still unclear.
The authorities are now waiting for results from toxicology tests, which are expected in about a month.
(Joseph Golder / newsX)