Decapitated Woman's Body Discovered in Scandicci, Florence, Prompting Murder Investigation

Horrific Discovery in Scandicci

The decapitated body of a woman was discovered on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in the former CNR area of Scandicci, a municipality near Florence, Italy. The gruesome find has prompted a murder investigation by the Florence prosecutor's office. The discovery was made in the late morning within an area that is now a municipal public park.

Investigation Underway

Upon the discovery, Carabinieri from the Scandicci company and the Florence provincial command, along with a medical examiner and local police, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Prosecutor Alessandra Falcone of the Florence prosecutor's office is overseeing the investigation. Scientific police are conducting extensive surveys at the site, which has been cordoned off.

The body was found near an abandoned and disused building within the former CNR area, which had reportedly been walled up to prevent illegal occupation. Initial reports suggest the victim is an unidentified woman, described in some sources as a 'senza fissa dimora' (homeless person). The alarm was reportedly raised by other homeless individuals present in the vicinity.

Local Reaction and Context

The news has sent shockwaves through the local community. Scandicci Mayor Claudia Sereni expressed her profound concern, calling the incident a 'horrible fact.' She stated, 'We express our utmost confidence in the work of the police forces and in the investigations coordinated by the Florence Public Prosecutor's Office, with the certainty that full light will be shed on what happened.'

The area where the body was found is a public park intended for recreational activities, including a dog area and walking paths. It is also located less than 100 meters from the Russel Newton high school and near the tramway terminus at Villa Costanza. Mayor Sereni also noted that the area is currently undergoing a requalification project, with 2.5 million euros financed by the Region for the creation of an urban biodiversity park.