[randolph]

A transsexual Brazilian prostitute known as 'Brenda,' who was linked to a sex scandal involving former Italian politician Piero Marrazzo, has been found burned to death in her Rome apartment, according to reports.

Sources told Reuters that magistrates were treating the death as murder. A bottle of whiskey and packed suitcases were found near her body, reports said.

Marrazzo resigned in late October after he was allegedly blackmailed by four Italian policeman who obtained a video of him having sex and taking drugs with another Brazilian transsexual known as Natalie, who was friends with 'Brenda.' After initial denying the incident, he soon admitted to having hired the prostitutes and using cocaine.

Two weeks ago, 'Brenda' had called the police to report that she bad been beaten and robbed by a gang of Eastern Europeans, UPI notes.