A 24-year-old lumberjack accidentally decapitated himself with a chainsaw after taking hallucinogens, it has emerged.
Two tourists found Aaron Engl dead in a clearing in the woods.
His head was partially severed from his body, and a chainsaw and an off-road vehicle were found next to him.
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Aaron lived with his parents, older brother, and younger sister on the outskirts of Terento, northeast of Milan.
His body was found near a mountain hut in nearby Marga, where he often went to work in the woods on 18 August last year.
Coroners ruled that he had likely died between 5am and 6am that morning, as reported by Need To Know.
At first, detectives were baffled, as the time of death seemed to rule out a work accident.
Furthermore, an accidental injury would have more likely involved a limb or his abdomen.
Thirdly, the freshly-felled trees were a fair distance from where his body was lying.
The police initially considered the possibility of murder, but there was no indication that Aaron had any enemies.
Terento mayor Reinhold Weger said at the time: “In a village of 1,800 people, we all know each other.
“Aaron was a cheerful young man and very active in local community groups.
“He was, in fact, the leader of the Schuhplattler, the traditional dance group.”
Now, nearly nine months on, the investigators believe they have solved the mystery.
According to the Bolzano Public Prosecutor’s Office, Aaron accidentally decapitated himself with the chainsaw after taking hallucinogenic substances.
The prosecutors announced on Monday (5 May) that they had gathered enough evidence to rule out foul play.
According to the investigation, Aaron had attended a rave with family and friends on the night of 17 August.
There, he is believed to have taken various drugs, including hallucinogens.
He began feeling ill and was taken home in the early hours of 18 August, where he parted ways with his friends.
Then, he got into his van – where his work chainsaws were stored – and drove to the clearing.
After arriving, for reasons unknown, he took one of the chainsaws out of the van.
The prosecutors said: “Regarding the circumstances of the death, the forensic expert concluded – based on other abrasions found on the body.
“Specifically on the left shoulder, left side, and right side of the chest, as well as the bloodstains on the clothing – that it was highly likely the 24-year-old had rested the running chainsaw on his left shoulder.
“In doing so, he likely triggered the throttle and safety lock, both located on the handle, which then set the chain in motion.”
Aaron’s cause of death was ruled as “neurogenic shock caused by incomplete decapitation, resulting in near-instant death”.
A post-mortem toxicology confirmed the presence of hallucinogenic substances in his system.
The prosecutors said it was “likely” he was in a “severely altered state” at the time.
Tests confirmed that all the blood found at the scene belonged solely to Aaron.
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