A 40 year old South American prostitute was found brutally murdered at her home in La Spezia, Liguria. Her head had been bludgeoned. Her body was discovered by a male friend, with whom the woman was romantically involved. The man, a local from La Spezia and who was aware of her work as a prostitute, had been trying to contact her by telephone. Later that night he went to the woman's house, discovered her body and called the emergency services. According to initial enquiries, the woman was in the habit of receiving men at home.