Florida woman killed in apartment in Italy

A murder investigation was underway Sunday after the body of an American woman was found in her apartment in Florence, Italian police said, NBC News reported.

Police confirmed that Olsen was found with scratch marks on her neck, but wouldn’t confirm that she had been strangled to death until an autopsy could be performed.

Her boyfriend was said to have become anxious after not hearing from her for several days following an argument, and went to see Ms Olsen at the flat. Her boyfriend and a group of mostly American friends were taken in for questioning, according to La Repubblica Daily.

Alexandra Lawrence, a 17-year resident of Florence who said she did not know Ms Olsen, expressed similar sentiment.

“Of course I remember her. I also remember that she came here with a friend and an English guy, he’s also an artist. I can’t believe that they would have done her harm”, a local bar owner told La Nazione newspaper.

She said she didn’t know Olsen personally, but said the first thing she thought of when she heard the news was the Knox saga.

She had been living in Italy where her father has worked as a teacher for some years.

Olsen was found with her neck bruised and scratched.

Scout was found outside her apartment after Olsen’s body was discovered.

Olsen’s Facebook page is full of photos of her and Scout, including on the steps of the Santo Spirito church on the lovely piazza of the same name that is the heart of the “Oltrarno” neighborhood of the Tuscan city.

Kercher’s United States flatmate, Amanda Knox, was originally convicted of murder along with her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito.

Georgette Jupe, who knew Ms Olsen casually, told AP: “I would hope for her sake that this investigation is more clear”.

Ms Jupe said Ms Olsen, of Florida, was involved in fashion and had moved to Florence a few years ago.