Italian Murders 'the Work of Satanists'

A young Italian woman was allegedly murdered because satanists had become obsessed with the idea that she was the re-embodiment of the Virgin Mary.

According to Italian media reports yesterday, Chiara Marino, 19, was among up to seven people who investigators believe may have been killed in the Milan area in the past six years by a group calling itself the Beasts of Satan.

Police and prosecutors are now investigating claims by an alleged member of the group that they were acting on orders from more senior devil worshippers, one of whom was known as the Antichrist.

Marino went missing more than six years ago. But it was not until last month that her body was unearthed in a wood, alongside that of a 16- year-old youth.

Investigators have been told the second victim, Fabio Tollis, was killed because he refused at the last minute to take part in Marino's ritual killing. Forensic examination showed the two teenagers had been beaten and stabbed to death.

Tollis played in the same "black metal" band as three of the four men accused of his murder. The others include the alleged ringleader of the Beasts of Satan, a 27-year-old plumber called Nicola Sapone.

Sapone, together with another member of the band, was arrested and charged earlier this year with killing a 27-year-old woman. Investigators believe she may have been murdered after finding out about the double killing of Tollis and Marino in 1998.

They have also reopened files on the deaths of a further four people.

One died of a drugs overdose. Another, whom investigators believe took part in the 1998 double-killing, was killed in a road accident. A third was found hanging from an electricity pylon. Yet another was found dead in a burnt-out car.