Maria Ionescu found dead in Francavilla al Mare countryside

Maria Ionescu, a 66-year-old woman from Mottola, was found dead in the countryside of Francavilla al Mare, Chieti, after disappearing from a service station on the A14 motorway. Her body was discovered by a passerby walking a dog near an olive tree, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the highway in a difficult-to-reach area at the bottom of a steep slope.

Ionescu had disappeared on Wednesday morning from the Alento Ovest service area while traveling back from a vacation in Rimini with her partner of over 20 years. According to her partner, she had returned to the rest area to retrieve a forgotten scarf before losing contact. Reports indicate there may have been an argument between the couple prior to her disappearance.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of her death, which initially included the hypothesis of suicide, as she was found hanged with a wire around her neck. The partner was questioned by the Chieti prosecutor's office for five hours as a person informed of the facts. Forensic examinations and an autopsy are expected to provide clarity on the exact cause of death.