Discovery of bones near Vatican embassy revives 1983 mystery

VATICAN CITY (AP) " The Vatican says human bones were found during renovation work near its embassy to Italy, reviving speculation once again about the fate of Emanuela Orlandi, the 15-year-old daughter of a Vatican employee who disappeared in 1983.

In the latest twist in one of the most enduring Vatican mysteries, the Vatican said Tuesday that Rome's chief prosecutor had been called in and had tasked forensic investigators to determine the age and gender of the bones, and the date of death.

The Vatican statement didn't mention Orlandi, but Italian media reports immediately made the connection. The Vatican said only that the bones were found during renovation work near its Rome embassy, located in the upscale Parioli neighborhood.

Orlandi disappeared after leaving her family's Vatican City apartment to go to a music lesson.