Police discovered Buhaiova’s body about 1 kilometer from the tourist resort where she was interning. Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that Mariia was found hanging from a tree in a rural area. Her mother has been notified and is on her way to Italy.
Mariia was in Italy as part of an EU project with Bratislava University, completing an internship at the Meditur resort near Brindisi, Apulia. On July 8, the Brindisi prefecture scheduled another meeting regarding the search for the student, but the meeting was canceled shortly before it was set to begin.
Italian media noted that Buhaiova’s disappearance was first reported on July 5. She was described as a quiet young woman who was eager to participate in an internship program in Italy.
Before she went missing, the Ukrainian student transferred funds to her brother. In her room, she left behind a note with several telephone numbers, along with her passport and mobile phone.