Tolmezzo morgue worker charged with stealing deceased woman's wedding ring

A 50-year-old morgue worker in the province of Udine has been reported to authorities for aggravated theft after stealing a wedding ring from a deceased 93-year-old woman.

The incident occurred in March following the woman's death at a local hospital. During the wake, family members noticed the yellow gold wedding band was missing from the deceased's finger just before the casket was closed.

Investigations by the Carabinieri of Tolmezzo traced the ring to a local gold buyer, where it had been sold for 340 euros on the eve of the funeral. The thief was identified through an engraving on the ring featuring the deceased's husband's name and their wedding date, ‘2-8-75’. The employee, who was responsible for dressing and guarding the body, has been charged and is currently under judicial review.