British man's naked body found near Sicilian off-grid settlement, police open murder probe

Italian police are investigating the death of a 35-year-old British man from Leeds after his naked body was found near a remote off-grid settlement in Sicily. The discovery occurred between the municipalities of Noto and Canicattini Bagni, an area known for a loosely organized community that occupies abandoned farmhouses and campsites. Officials observed signs of neck trauma but have not concluded whether the cause was suicide or homicide.

The mayor, Paolo Amenta, said the group, often labeled as “hippies” or “flower children,” typically coexists peacefully with locals and stays for brief periods. Nearby investigators reported a tent, a rope, psychotropic drugs and a goat’s head, prompting rumors of a botched esoteric rite. An autopsy will be performed in the coming days, and the British Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.