Mattress stolen from slain coed's room

PERUGIA, Italy, March 22 (UPI) -- Thieves broke into the Italian cottage where British student Meredith Kercher was slain and stole the mattress on which she slept, sources say.

The burglary in Perugia, Italy, was the second at the one-time home of Kercher, 21, whose former roommate, U.S. student Amanda Knox, 21, and her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, 24, are on trial for sexually assaulting and murdering her in 2007, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

In addition to the mattress theft, cushions, pillows and a suitcase containing knives also were taken, unnamed sources told the British newspaper, which reported that although the house has been designated as a crime scene, it is under no additional security.

Four knives and a burned candle were discovered in the cottage after a similar Feb. 18 break-in, the newspaper said, leading some to believe Devil worshipers had used the scene of the highly publicized crime for a ceremony.

"We are investigating a break-in at the house and it is ongoing," a Perugia police spokesman said. "Items were taken but because of the investigation nothing else can be said. What I will say is that we strongly believe both break-ins were connected."