Marrazzo case prostitute found dead

ROME, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A transsexual prostitute linked to an Italian regional governor in a sex scandal was found dead in her burned-out home Friday, police say.

A bottle of whiskey and packed suitcases were found near the body of the Brazilian woman, who called herself Brenda, the Italian news agency ANSA said..

Brenda was one of two transsexual prostitutes involved in the case of former Lazio Gov. Piero Marrazzo, ANSA reported. He resigned on Oct. 27 after it was reported he was being blackmailed by rogue cops.

The other prostitute, named Natalie, appeared in the video with Marrazzo, which was shot on Aug. 3 after two of a gang of four Carabinieri broke into her apartment.

The dead transsexual, who has denied having sex with the ex-governor, was questioned in the Marrazzo case on Nov. 2 about the possible existence of a second video.

A week later, on Nov. 9, she was found lying drunk and bruised on a Rome street claiming she had been robbed by a gang of eastern Europeans.