The British grandmother who was stabbed to death in her Italian dream home was found in her underwear on the floor next to her bed and may have been killed in her sleep, it has been claimed.
Michele Faiers (66) was found by her friend in a pool of blood on Wednesday morning in her bedroom on the first floor of her country house in the village of Verratti, near Casoli, a town in eastern Italy.
The mother of two was found on the floor next to her bed, dressed in underwear and covered with a white sheet, an investigating source told The Times.
There were no signs of a struggle and police are now investigating whether Michele was killed in her sleep, the source said.
Police are now hunting Michele’s partner Michael Whitbread, 74, a retired business consultant originally from Torquay, after he allegedly left the scene in the couple’s white Jeep Compass before police could question him.
But investigators said that while Whitbread was the prime suspect in Michele’s murder, “there is no conclusive evidence here.”
The couple have lived in the house in the countryside near the community of Palombara, home to 100 British expats, for four years and have been described by locals as “very private”.
“They had few friends in town, probably because they barely spoke English,” the investigative source said.
Michele Faiers (66) was discovered on Wednesday morning by her friend in a pool of blood in her bedroom on the first floor of her country house in the village of Verratti, near Casoli, a town in eastern Italy. Police are now hunting her partner Michael Whitbread (74) (pictured together)
Colonel Alceo Greco of Italy’s Carabinieri police said Ms Faiers was believed to have died at least three days ago and her partner Michael Whitbread (pictured), 74, was the prime suspect.
Michele Faiers (66) was found by her friend in a pool of blood in her bedroom on the first floor of her country house in a village near Casoli, a town in eastern Italy, on Wednesday morning. Pictured: A Google Street View of her home
Mother-of-two Michele was found by a concerned friend who had traveled from the nearby town of Palombaro, home to 100 British expats, after she called yesterday morning but got no answer.
Her friend hadn’t heard from her in three days and was becoming increasingly worried, so she decided to check on her, police said.
Neighbors said they heard her screaming in horror when they found the 66-year-old in a pool of blood on the floor next to her bed and called the police, who arrived at the country house.
Michele was stabbed in the stomach, although conflicting reports varied as to exactly how many times and where she was stabbed.
“She was found on the floor of her bedroom next to the bed, dressed in her underwear and covered with a white sheet,” an investigative source said.
“There were no signs of a struggle and she may have been stabbed in her temple, but we are waiting for forensics to find out more.”
Michele was found by the police in her bedroom on the second floor and the keys to the house were apparently still in the front door.
Police are now looking for Mr Whitbread, who police fear has already fled the country, said Col Alceo Greco of Italy’s Carabinieri police.
Medical examiners are also conducting forensic tests to determine how long Michele was dead before she was discovered by her heartbroken friend. She is believed to have died on Saturday or Sunday.
Michele Faiers (pictured with her partner Michael Whitbread) was found dead in her idyllic Italian home on Wednesday.
Ms. Faiers and Mr. Whitbread has lived in the country house near Palombara for four years
Locals in the village near Casoli describe the couple as “very private”
She was found this morning at her country house in the village of Verratti, near Casoli, a town in eastern Italy.
Michele made her last post on her Instagram page on October 25 when three photos of a spectacular sunset taken from the terrace of her home were uploaded.
She called it “another beautiful sunset” and among those enjoying it was her partner, Mr. Whitbread.
Other photos show the couple enjoying the winter holidays, skiing in the nearby mountains and in the snaps she can be seen with her daughter Harriet.
The couple have also enjoyed several diving holidays together and Mr Whitbread is considered an experienced diver.
A local plumber who employed the couple confirmed the Facebook identity to MailOnline and said: “I just can’t believe it.” They seemed like such a perfect couple. We kept in touch and texted each other every now and then.
“I live about 25 miles away and heard the news from my friend who lives across the street from Michele and Michael. She was found stabbed and he is now missing. I am shocked.
“The area is full of British people and I have a lot of British clients. They employ me to help install boilers and plumbing on their properties.
“The last time I saw Michele and Michael was a year ago when I went to check the boiler. They bought several abandoned buildings for their home and wanted to renovate them. I just can’t believe it.’
Local prosecutor Mirvana Di Serio was at the scene yesterday and the house, located on a remote country road, was cordoned off while police carried out a forensic investigation.
Michele was found by the police in her bedroom on the second floor and the keys to the house were apparently still in the front door
Photos show the couple enjoying a winter break, skiing in the nearby mountains, and in one glimpse she can be seen with her daughter Harriet
A source told MailOnline: “The alarm was raised after a friend tried to call her this morning but got no answer, so she went home.”
“When she got there, she found the woman dead with a stab wound in her stomach. Her screams alerted other neighbors and the police were called.
“They mostly kept to themselves, but sometimes they were seen walking with their three dogs.”
The nearby community of Palombaro is home to a hundred British expats who have moved to the area to buy and renovate derelict farmhouses.
The wider Abruzzo region is popular with middle-class Brits who have moved there for the cheap cost of living or have holiday homes there.
MailOnline has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
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