MILAN – A murder investigation has been opened after the death of Moroccan model Imane Fadil, a key witness against former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2012, after he was accused of paying for sex with an underage prostitute.

 Fadil’s death is suspected to have been caused by a radioactive poison, however Berlusconi has denied ever having met the model who claimed to have attended his “bunga bunga” sex parties.

 Fadil died at Milan’s Humanitas di Rozzano hospital aged 34 on March 1, a month after being admitted with stomach pains. She is believed to have told relatives and her lawyer that she was convinced she had been poisoned.

 A post-mortem examination is due to be held Wednesday or Thursday after tests found unusual levels of heavy metals in her blood and “several anomalies” in her medical records. All common poisons have been excluded, however further data needs to be obtained in order to determine a cause of death.

 According to specialists, one of the most useful tests will be the analysis of the kidney, the “sponge” organ. Meanwhile, the definitive results of a biological samples test are expected to detect the possible presence of radioactive elements.

 Doctors have gradually excluded several potential causes of death including the tumour that can cause bone marrow aplasia, as well as autoimmune disorders such as lupus. They also excluded leptospirosis and the most common forms of poisoning and intoxication. No traces of arsenic were found in Imane's body.

 Specialists are now investigating the possibility of radioactive substances in detected in her blood, yet this is proving to be difficult given the many blood transfusions which were performed on the model in the days preceding her death.

 The model’s body remains at the morgue in Milan awaiting the upcoming autopsy. Until then, the prosecutor's office have stated that "No one should see her,” neither friends nor relatives. A visiting ban maybe imposed to avoid any risks.

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