American artist found dead in her apartment

An American woman, her neck bruised and scratched, was found slain in her apartment in Florence on Saturday, Italian police said.

Maddalena Carosi, a police spokeswoman, said the woman has been identified as Ashley Olsen, 35, who had been living in Florence for some time.

Florence prosecutors have opened a murder investigation.
Police would not comment on Italian news reports that the woman had been strangled until an autopsy can be performed, but they did confirm Olsen had scratch marks and bruises on her neck

He called police but Olsen, who is believed to have originally been from Florida, had reportedly been dead for hours.

Local TV reports said the body was found on a bed in the apartment, which is located in Florence's historic center.

TV and local newspaper accounts said the body was identified by the victim's father, who reportedly teaches at a Florence school.