Sicily police investigate death of British man near off-grid community

Italian authorities have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a 35-year-old British man's naked body in a remote area of Sicily. The body was found on a Saturday night in the countryside between Noto and Canicattini Bagni, within the province of Syracuse.

The deceased, a man from Leeds, West Yorkshire, had reportedly been staying in the isolated region for several days and had been in contact with an off-grid community living in abandoned farmhouses and temporary camps. Investigators noted signs of violence around the man's neck, leading to a post-mortem examination to determine if he was strangled or if the death was a suicide.

Local media reports have highlighted unusual items found in a nearby farmhouse, including a rope, psychotropic substances, and a goat's head. These findings have led to speculation regarding potential involvement in esoteric or occult rituals. The local community, described by residents as “hippies” or “flower children,” is known to live a nomadic lifestyle. The mayor of Canicattini Bagni, Paolo Amenta, stated that the group has generally not caused issues with public order.