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Son Allegedly Hid Mother's Body and Dressed as Her to Renew ID and Collect Her Pension

The son of Graziella Dall’Oglio is accused of hiding his 82-year-old mother’s body at home until it mummified, then disguising himself as her to renew identity documents and continue collecting her pension. Municipal staff grew suspicious of his appearance and voice, compared him with official photos and alerted police. Officers searched the home and found the preserved remains; the man is now being investigated for concealing a body and benefit fraud. Authorities say his declared annual income was about €53,000, partly supported by the pension.

05:43 AM, 11/25/2025Society
Son Allegedly Hid Mother's Body and Dressed as Her to Renew ID and Collect Her Pension

Summary: Italian authorities say a 56-year-old man allegedly concealed his 82-year-old mother's body at home until it mummified, then presented himself as her at a municipal office to renew identity papers and keep collecting her pension. The case has prompted an investigation for illegal concealment of a body and benefit fraud.

What allegedly happened

The alleged fraud

When it was time to renew the woman’s identity card at a municipal office in Borgo Virgilio on the outskirts of Mantua, the man reportedly disguised himself to pass as his mother. He is said to have cut his hair to resemble hers, applied foundation and lipstick, and worn a pearl necklace and vintage clip earrings. Local reports described the transformation as evocative of a "Mrs Doubtfire-style" disguise.

How the ruse unraveled

Staff at the municipal office grew suspicious during the visit. Employees noted several inconsistencies — a disproportionately thick neck, unusual wrinkles, hands that did not look like those of an elderly woman, and a voice that occasionally dipped to a masculine pitch. An employee alerted police and the local mayor, who compared the visitor with official photographs of Graziella Dall’Oglio and concluded the person was an impostor.

"He came into the council offices wearing a long skirt, lipstick and nail varnish, a necklace and old-style earrings," said Francesco Aporti, mayor of Borgo Virgilio. "Up close his neck was too thick and his wrinkles were strange; the skin on his hands did not resemble that of an 85-year-old woman. His voice was feminine but would sometimes dip and sound masculine."

Police discovery and ongoing investigation

Following the tip-off, officers searched the man’s home and found the preserved remains of his mother in a laundry room. Authorities said the body was wrapped in sheets and a sleeping bag and had reached an advanced state of mummification. The remains were taken to a hospital mortuary for a postmortem to determine the cause of death, although officials have suggested she likely died of natural causes pending examination.

Investigators report the man benefited financially from his deception: his declared annual income was about €53,000, reportedly supported by the pension and ownership of three houses. He is under investigation for illegal concealment of a body and benefit fraud.

This unusual and distressing case remains under inquiry as authorities complete forensic work and pursue potential criminal charges.

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Son Allegedly Hid Mother's Body and Dressed as Her to Renew ID and Collect Her Pension - CRBC News