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Ashley Olsen: man held on suspicion of American's murder in Florence Ashley Olsen: man held on suspicion of American's murder in Florence
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been arrested in Florence on suspicion of the murder of Ashley Olsen, an American woman whose death last week sent shockwaves through the Italian city’s art community where she was well-known.A man has been arrested in Florence on suspicion of the murder of Ashley Olsen, an American woman whose death last week sent shockwaves through the Italian city’s art community where she was well-known.
Tidiane Cheik Diaw was arrested overnight on charges of aggravated murder, following DNA tests on Olsen’s body and the collection of evidence from her apartment where she died.Tidiane Cheik Diaw was arrested overnight on charges of aggravated murder, following DNA tests on Olsen’s body and the collection of evidence from her apartment where she died.
The prosecutor Giuseppe Creazzo said there was “strong evidence of guilt” against the accused, including DNA taken from a cigarette butt and a condom found in the apartment. Diaw, a Senegalese national, was allegedly found in possession of Olsen’s phone and had inserted his own sim card. He had entered Italy illegally a few months ago with the aim of joining his brother, Creazzo said. Prosecutor Giuseppe Creazzo said there was “strong evidence of guilt” against the accused, including DNA taken from a cigarette butt and a condom found in the apartment. Diaw, a Senegalese national, was allegedly found in possession of Olsen’s phone and had inserted his own sim card. He had entered Italy illegally a few months ago with the aim of joining his brother, Creazzo said.
Olsen, 35, originally from Summer Haven, Florida, was found in her apartment on Saturday afternoon by her boyfriend Federico Fiorentini, who said he had become worried after not hearing from her following an argument. The landlady let him into the studio flat where he found Olsen lying naked on her bed. An autopsy found that she had been strangled with an object such as a cord or rope and suffered two head fractures.Olsen, 35, originally from Summer Haven, Florida, was found in her apartment on Saturday afternoon by her boyfriend Federico Fiorentini, who said he had become worried after not hearing from her following an argument. The landlady let him into the studio flat where he found Olsen lying naked on her bed. An autopsy found that she had been strangled with an object such as a cord or rope and suffered two head fractures.
A high-profile murder investigation was launched to find Olsen’s killer, who was thought to have known the victim as there was no sign of forced entry in the apartment.A high-profile murder investigation was launched to find Olsen’s killer, who was thought to have known the victim as there was no sign of forced entry in the apartment.
Olsen was last seen in the early hours of Friday morning in the Montecarla club, about a 15-minute walk from her home in the Santo Spirito neighbourhood. According to locals the club attracts a mixed crowd looking to party after Florence’s bars close. The Montecarla has been temporarily shut by authorities on a number of occasions over allegations that drugs were being sold at the venue. Olsen was last seen in the early hours of Friday morning in the Montecarla club, about a 15-minute walk from her home in the Santo Spirito neighbourhood. According to locals the club attracts a mixed crowd looking to party after Florence’s bars close. The Montecarla has been temporarily shut by authorities on a number of occasions over allegations that drugs were sold at the venue.
After going to Montecarla with friends, Olsen is believed to have left with her alleged killer. CCTV footage showed Olsen and another person walking towards her apartment on Via Santa Monaca.After going to Montecarla with friends, Olsen is believed to have left with her alleged killer. CCTV footage showed Olsen and another person walking towards her apartment on Via Santa Monaca.
Her body was found with scratches on the neck. There were no signs of a struggle with her attacker. Tests revealed she had sex shortly before her death and was not sexually assaulted. The results of further lab tests are expected later this month and will disclose whether there were drugs or alcohol in Olsen’s system when she died.Her body was found with scratches on the neck. There were no signs of a struggle with her attacker. Tests revealed she had sex shortly before her death and was not sexually assaulted. The results of further lab tests are expected later this month and will disclose whether there were drugs or alcohol in Olsen’s system when she died.
The killing has shocked Florence’s tight-knit circle of artists, who would regularly see Olsen walking her dog, Scout, around Santo Spirito. Olsen moved to the Tuscan capital, where her father also lives, in 2012 and was welcomed into the neighbourhood’s vibrant community.The killing has shocked Florence’s tight-knit circle of artists, who would regularly see Olsen walking her dog, Scout, around Santo Spirito. Olsen moved to the Tuscan capital, where her father also lives, in 2012 and was welcomed into the neighbourhood’s vibrant community.
“She turned up on the steps and got absorbed. It’s a very accepting group,” said Tom Richards, a British painter and art teacher, describing the scene on the local church steps where people meet to sip wine and chat in the evening.“She turned up on the steps and got absorbed. It’s a very accepting group,” said Tom Richards, a British painter and art teacher, describing the scene on the local church steps where people meet to sip wine and chat in the evening.
“There’s so little here that’s formally organised … everyone just turns up,” he said. It was a lifestyle that Olsen quickly embraced; she was committed to staying in Florence long-term and organised art events in the city. “There’s so little here that’s formally organised … everyone just turns up,” he said. It was a lifestyle that Olsen quickly embraced; she was committed to staying in Florence for the long term and organised art events in the city.
One such event went ahead on Wednesday evening. Artists gathered to view the latest creations exhibited in a renovated palazzo in the heart of the Renaissance city. But the events of recent days hung heavily over the show.One such event went ahead on Wednesday evening. Artists gathered to view the latest creations exhibited in a renovated palazzo in the heart of the Renaissance city. But the events of recent days hung heavily over the show.
One person said he had chatted briefly with Olsen on Thursday last week, before she went to Montecarla that evening, while another guest described how the loss had taken its toll on the “family” of artists.One person said he had chatted briefly with Olsen on Thursday last week, before she went to Montecarla that evening, while another guest described how the loss had taken its toll on the “family” of artists.
A number of Olsen’s closest friends are said to have kept a low profile this week, as her death attracted global media attention. The case has been likened to the murder of the British student Meredith Kercher in 2007, which led to a lengthy legal battle. Kercher’s American flatmate Amanda Knox and Italian Raffaele Sollecito were exonerated last year, with judges citing “stunning flaws” in the investigation.A number of Olsen’s closest friends are said to have kept a low profile this week, as her death attracted global media attention. The case has been likened to the murder of the British student Meredith Kercher in 2007, which led to a lengthy legal battle. Kercher’s American flatmate Amanda Knox and Italian Raffaele Sollecito were exonerated last year, with judges citing “stunning flaws” in the investigation.
In Florence, Olsen’s friends and family hope similar errors will not befall the current investigation. “We have faith that the perpetrator will be found and sentenced,” her father, Walter Olsen, said in a statement before the arrest. He described his daughter as “a beautiful and creative young woman with a happy, exuberant and generous soul”.In Florence, Olsen’s friends and family hope similar errors will not befall the current investigation. “We have faith that the perpetrator will be found and sentenced,” her father, Walter Olsen, said in a statement before the arrest. He described his daughter as “a beautiful and creative young woman with a happy, exuberant and generous soul”.
Many in Florence expressed their dismay at rumours circulating around the case, with the latest developments displayed on newspaper boards across Florence. Two boards sit outside Olsen’s local coffee bar, close to where flowers frame the door to her apartment.Many in Florence expressed their dismay at rumours circulating around the case, with the latest developments displayed on newspaper boards across Florence. Two boards sit outside Olsen’s local coffee bar, close to where flowers frame the door to her apartment.
The flat has been seized by police and on Wednesday the entrance was guarded by two officers, while forensics experts returned to the crime scene.The flat has been seized by police and on Wednesday the entrance was guarded by two officers, while forensics experts returned to the crime scene.
Among the roses and tulips, hearts have been drawn on the wall and handwritten notes left by friends bear messages such as “We never forget you” and “I love you Ashley”.Among the roses and tulips, hearts have been drawn on the wall and handwritten notes left by friends bear messages such as “We never forget you” and “I love you Ashley”.