Artist hitchhiking for peace found murdered

Published on Sunday 13 April 2008 00:12

AN ITALIAN woman artist who was hitchhiking to the Middle East dressed as a bride to promote world peace has been found murdered in Turkey.

The naked body of Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, 33, known as Pippa Bacca, was found in bushes near the city of Gebze on Friday.

She had said she wanted to show she could put her trust in the kindness of local people. Turkish police say they have detained a man in connection with the killing. Reports say the man led the police to the body.

Di Marineo was hitchhiking from Milan to Lebanon with a fellow artist on their 'Brides on Tour' project. They separated in Istanbul, planning to reunite in Beirut.

Di Marineo was last seen on March 31 in Gebze. An Italian embassy official said police tracked the man when he put a new Sim card into Di Marineo's mobile phone.

"Her travels were for an artistic performance and to give a message of peace and of trust, but not everyone deserves trust," Di Marineo's sister Maria said.