Italian man found dead in Mombasa with plastic bag over his head

An Italian man suspected to have been strangled and killed at his rented apartment in Mombasa has been identified as Giuseppe Giarratano. 

Daniel Mumasaba, the Nyali sub-County Police Commander said the body was found on a couch in his apartment on Thursday afternoon. 

“He is a 75-year-old Italian and was living alone. He was found dead on his couch, the body swollen and had vomit all over it,” said Mr Mumasaba.

Eyewitnesses said Giarrtano was found in his two-bedroomed apartment in Kisimani Heights by the caretaker Dennis Miguna after neighbours said a foul smell was emanating from the house.

Speaking to The Standard, Miguna said the head of the deceased was tightly wrapped with a plastic bag raising suspicions about the cause of the death.

The apartment's door, he added, was locked from inside.

Miguna disclosed that an unidentified woman came looking for Giarratano two days earlier but left after he failed to answer the door. “His girlfriend (a local) used to stay here, but after they fell out, she moved out,” said Miguna.

Mourning the 75-year-old, a woman whose shop the Italian frequented, said Giarratano led a simple life and was very reserved.

“I don’t know much about his relationships, either with his girlfriend or who came to see him last; he never used to talk much,” said the shopkeeper.

Police have launched an investigation into the Italian's death.