Italian police are investigating a bizarre alleged murder involving spaghetti, an elderly woman, and a young niece who allegedly wanted to grab a $775,000 inheritance.
Paola Pepe, the great-niece of Maria Basso, 80, was arrested for Basso’s murder after allegedly force-feeding the older woman with spaghetti, Corriere della Sera reports.
Basso was vulnerable to choking if she did not eat finely chopped or pureed food.
Despite this, Pepe, 58, took her great-aunt for a meal in a Sicily restaurant in December 2022. She allegedly ordered Basso spaghetti, and in two days her great-aunt was dead.
Some of the pasta allegedly got lodged in Basso’s airways, causing her death.
Initially Basso’s death looked like an accident, but a police investigation was launched after officials found Pepe had amended her great-aunt’s will days before the meal.
Pepe has denied all accusations. She was bailed and is wearing a police ankle bracelet while awaiting her trial.
Corriere della Sera reported Pepe had taken an unusual interest her great-aunt’s finances in the months leading up to her death.
Pepe had turned up unexpectedly at Basso’s 80th birthday, family members said, where she spent several hours alone with the older woman.
Without telling Basso’s close family members, Pepe then moved Basso to a care home 1300 kilometres away.
Corriere della Sera reported Pepe did not take any of Basso’s personal belongings or medication to the new home.
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Once isolated, police allege, Basso signed control of her assets to Pepe.
Pepe was named sole beneficiary of Basso’s estate in a new will signed two days before the pair dined on spaghetti.
Basso, who had worked for Italy’s Foreign Ministry, which included a posting in Australia, had no children, local media reported.
Before her will was changed, Basso intended to give her estate to a charity.
