A woman who was found dead on a beach naked from the waist down has mystified police in Italy.

The woman was wearing just a bra and a T-shirt when she was discovered face-up in the surf in Porto Sant’Elpidio on 28th August.

Her shorts were found 50 metres further down the beach and – report local media – her arms were clamped across her chest as if she had been defending herself.

But police say there were no signs of physical injury or abuse and named the victim as Moldovan national Galina Banea.

An autopsy carried out on 1st September confirmed Galina died from drowning overnight.

Police are now investigating the involvement of two men seen with her on 27th August.

Officers are focussing on one man – whose apartment has already been raided – with a history of drug trafficking.

Galina had arrived in Italy on a tourist visa a couple of months earlier and had only been in Porto Sant’Elpidio for a few days.

Her body was identified quickly because of the tattoos on her arm and leg, as well as her nose ring.

Police have not ruled out a pre-existing medical condition, an overdose, suicide, or murder as the cause of death.

Porto Sant’Elpidio mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella told local media: “The young woman had been in the town for only a few days, and she was not known, nor did she have residency.

“The police work is commendable, and I have also noticed a lot of solidarity from people: there have been several testimonies that will be useful for the investigation, such as CCTV footage.”