A music duo have been found dead in their home in a suspected murder-suicide.
Mauro Zaccarini, 73, and Adriana Mazzanti, 63, were discovered lifeless in their villa yesterday (21 April) afternoon.
The couple, who found love later in life, were each other’s second marriage and had become well known locally for performing at village fêtes and events.
READ MORE: Influencer who looked ‘pregnant’ due to rare cancer dies aged 29
Mauro played guitar while Adriana was the singer in their act, Adriana e Mauro, Super Duo, as reported by Need To Know.
Police believe Mauro may have killed his partner before taking his own life at their home in Castel Maggiore near Bologna, Italy.
The pair were reportedly in the process of separating, despite still living together.
Investigators say Mauro, a former local government clerk, is suspected of strangling Adriana with his bare hands on Monday night.
Hours later, he is believed to have hanged himself from a beam inside the villa.
The tragic discovery was made by Mauro’s son from a previous relationship.
After failing to reach his father since Monday evening, he sent a message on Tuesday morning which went unanswered.
He later went to the house and reportedly found both bodies.
Prosecutor Federica Messina has ordered autopsies as part of the investigation.
Police also recovered handwritten notes from Mauro indicating an intention to end his life – though they did not explicitly mention Adriana’s death.
Officers said the house was tidy, with no signs of third-party involvement.
The murder-suicide theory is currently the main line of inquiry, although forensic results are still pending.
Investigators are also looking into the couple’s medical and financial circumstances to establish whether personal struggles may have played a role.
Neighbours said they were left stunned, describing the pair as a “polite, reserved couple” often seen walking together.
Castel Maggiore mayor Belinda Gottardi said: “This is a deep wound for our entire community.
“We are shocked by this tragedy, which occurred in what appeared to everyone to be a context of absolute normalcy.”
The investigation is ongoing.
READ MORE: Panic as new bridge collapses during ribbon-cutting ceremony with mayor
