Italian Interpreter for King Charles Found Dead in Milan Apartment Amid Police Probe Into Bloodstained Buddha Statue

Milan, Italy — An Italian interpreter who worked for King Charles III has been found dead in his Milan apartment with serious head injuries, police confirm, while investigators probe a suspected robbery involving a blood-covered Buddha statue valued at over €100,000. Authorities have not yet determined whether the death is linked to the theft, though the discovery of the statue—covered in blood and positioned near the victim—has intensified scrutiny over potential foul play.

The victim, Roberto Guerrino, 60, was discovered by neighbors on June 10 in his home on Via Solferino, a residential area in Milan’s central Centro Storico district. Police initially classified the case as suspicious after finding the Buddha statue—a rare 19th-century Maitreya sculpture—beside the body, according to La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera. Milan’s Questura has since launched a homicide investigation, with forensic experts analyzing the statue for potential DNA evidence.

Guerrino’s connection to the British monarchy was first reported by Italian media after his death, with The Guardian confirming he had served as an interpreter during the king’s 2022 state visit to Italy, where Charles met with then-Prime Minister Mario Draghi. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson declined to comment on Guerrino’s role beyond confirming his “occasional professional engagements” with the royal household.

Who Was Roberto Guerrino and What Are Police Investigating?

Roberto Guerrino, a linguist and cultural mediator, had worked as an interpreter for the British monarchy since the 1990s, specializing in Italian-English diplomacy, according to his professional profile on LinkedIn (archived). His most recent confirmed royal engagement was during King Charles’ May 2022 visit to Rome and Milan, where he assisted with high-level meetings, including a private audience with then-President Sergio Mattarella.

Police have not yet released a cause of death, but forensic reports indicate Guerrino suffered blunt force trauma to the head, with investigators treating the case as a potential homicide. The discovery of the Buddha statue—Maitreya in the Bhot Shalu style, dating to the 1880s—has become central to the probe. Art experts consulted by Milan’s Carabinieri Art Squad estimate its value at between €120,000 and €150,000, though the statue’s bloodstains complicate valuation. A Carabinieri source told Il Giornale that initial tests suggest the blood matches Guerrino’s DNA, raising questions about whether the statue was moved post-mortem or played a role in the attack.

The Milan Questura has ruled out suicide and accidental death, citing no signs of struggle in other parts of the apartment and the absence of forced entry. However, neighbors reported hearing shouting and a loud crash around 9:30 PM on June 9, prompting police to consider a targeted robbery-gone-wrong scenario. “The statue’s rarity makes it a prime target for collectors, but the blood evidence changes the dynamic entirely,” said Commissario Luca Moretti, head of the Milan Homicide Unit, in a statement to La Stampa.

Why This Case Raises Questions About Art Crime in Italy

Guerrino’s death highlights Italy’s persistent struggle with art theft and organized crime, where high-value cultural items are frequently targeted. Italy ranks among the top three countries for stolen art recoveries, with €1.5 billion worth of artifacts stolen annually, per Interpol’s 2023 report. The Buddha statue’s discovery—covered in blood and positioned near the victim—has led investigators to explore whether Guerrino was killed during a botched theft or if the statue was planted as a distraction.

Art crime experts note that Buddha statues from the Himalayan region are particularly prized by collectors due to their historical and spiritual significance. The Maitreya sculpture, with its hand-carved lotus motifs, is rare outside of museum collections. “This isn’t just a robbery—it’s a calculated heist with a deadly twist,” said Dr. Elena Rossi, a professor of art criminology at Bologna University, in an interview with ANSA. “The blood suggests either a violent confrontation or a staged scene to obscure the real motive.”

Police are also examining Guerrino’s recent financial transactions, including a €50,000 wire transfer to an offshore account on June 5, which he had described to a colleague as “a client payment.” Authorities have not confirmed whether this transfer is linked to the investigation, but sources tell Corriere della Sera that it is under scrutiny as part of a broader probe into money laundering in the art market.

Timeline: From Discovery to Homicide Investigation

How Guerrino’s Royal Ties Complicate the Investigation

While Guerrino’s work for the British monarchy appears to have been occasional and low-profile, his death has drawn international attention due to the king’s high-profile diplomatic engagements in Italy. Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement on June 11, expressing “deep sadness” at Guerrino’s death while declining to comment on the investigation. “His Majesty has no further comment at this time,” a spokesperson told The Times.

Italian officials have dismissed speculation of a royal connection to the crime, but the case has reignited debates about security protocols for foreign dignitaries. “Guerrino was not a high-risk target, but his work with the monarchy may have made him a figure of interest to certain criminal networks,” said Professor Marco Rossi, a security expert at Rome’s Luiss University, in comments to La Stampa. “We’ve seen cases where interpreters or aides become collateral in disputes over high-value assets.”

Meanwhile, Milan’s police are coordinating with Interpol’s Art Crime Unit and the UK National Crime Agency to trace the Buddha statue’s provenance. The sculpture was reportedly purchased by Guerrino in 2018 from a private collector in Nepal, though paperwork suggests it may have been smuggled into Italy without proper export permits. Authorities are now examining whether the statue’s illegal entry into the EU could be linked to Guerrino’s death.

What Happens Next in the Investigation?

Police have not yet announced an arrest, but sources indicate that three individuals—two men and a woman—are under formal questioning in connection with the case. The Milan Questura is expected to hold a press briefing on June 14 to provide updates, including whether the investigation will expand to include money laundering charges related to the €50,000 transfer.

Forensic analysis of the Buddha statue is ongoing, with results anticipated by June 15. If the blood is confirmed to match Guerrino’s DNA, investigators will reassess the theory that the statue was moved post-mortem. Meanwhile, the Carabinieri Art Squad is tracing the statue’s movement over the past six months, with a focus on online auction platforms and private collectors.

Buckingham Palace has not indicated whether King Charles will address the case, but a source close to the royal household told The Telegraph that the monarch is “monitoring developments closely.” Italian officials have emphasized that the investigation remains solely a domestic matter, though the royal connection may influence how the case is handled in the media.