Italian missionary found dead in Peruvian Andes, investigation underway

The body of a priest was found in the Peruvian mountains. The clergyman was discovered lifeless on one of the rocks. The Italian missionary had been missing for several days. The search included the local bishop, who identified the deceased's body.

The search for Father Giuseppe (José) Messetí began over a week ago. The 72-year-old man ventured into the mountains and did not return from the expedition. According to the portal deon.pl, the clergyman was a missionary working in the Andean region of Peru.

On 31 August, the priest's body was found on one of the rocks in the upper part of the Ricrán district, in the Jauja province, in the Peruvian Andes. The clergyman was sitting dead on the rock, holding a backpack.

How did Father Messetí die? According to preliminary findings, traces of assault were found on the clergyman's body and face. However, it is also possible that the priest fell into a crevasse and was unable to call for help.

The local portal diariocorreo.pe reports that the search for the 72-year-old priest involved the ordinary of the Diocese of Tarma, Timoteo Solórzano Rojas. It was the bishop who recognised the body of the clergyman who died in the mountains.

The local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the missionary's death. It is known that the deceased priest set out early in the morning to the Ricrán/Tambillo district, located in the Jauja province.

The Italian clergyman stated that he would return to the community around 8:00 PM GMT; however, he did not reach the place.

When it became clear that he had not arrived on time, we informed the local police station. In the morning (30 August), we began searching for him. His car was found, but the priest was not inside, added the bishop, as quoted by the portal aciprensa.com.

Let's add that Peruvian investigators have ordered an autopsy of the deceased priest. The results will reveal how the clergyman died.