The body of a missing woman has been found beheaded inside a suitcase at a popular tourist spot in Italy. Maria Denisa Paun, 30, from Romania, went missing from Prato in Tuscany on May 15.

Italian media reports that her remains were found not far from an abandoned farmhouse in Montecatini Terme, 25 miles away from Florence, on Wednesday (June 4). Corriere Fiorentino reports that a security guard has admitted murdering Ms Paun, who worked as an escort.

Her head was cut off with a knife and set on fire after Ms Paun reportedly told the man she would tell his wife unless he paid her.

Local media reports that Romanian national, Vasile Frumuzache, 32, faces charges of murder and suppression of a corpse.

Prosecutors allege the father of two told police he met Ms Paun on a dating app. Mr Frumuzache told officers he met her at a hotel on the same night she was killed.

Italian media reports say he told police the pair had sex, but Ms Paun threatened to contact his wife if he didn't pay her £8,463.

Security footage from the hotel allegedly shows Mr Frumuzache outside with a black bag at 10.50pm on May 15.

Video reportedly shows him leaving the hotel with a white suitcase said to belong to Ms Paun at about 1am the next day.

It reportedly shows him loading the case into a Volkswagen Golf, according to Italian media.

Ms Paun's disappearance has dominated headlines in Italy, with rumours having circulated she may have been kidnapped by a criminal gang.