DNA cracks centuries-old murder mystery involving one of historys most famous families

Researchers at Yale University believe they’ve solved a centuries-old mystery over how a member of one of Italy’s most famous families died.In a study published in the journal iScience, researchers analyzed ancient DNA from Grand Duke Francesco I de’ Medici, the Renaissance ruler of Tuscany, who died suddenly in 1587.Francesco I de’ Medici and his wife, Bianca Cappello, died a day apart after falling ill with intermittent fevers following a stay at a mosquito-filled villa — fueling centuries of rumors that they had been poisoned.Working with paleopathologists from the University of Pisa in Italy, the team analyzed DNA extracted from the ribs of Francesco I de’ Medici, as well as Giovanni de’ Medici, his younger brother who died of malaria 25 years earlier.The research was led by Serena Tucci, assistant professor of anthropology at Yale University, whose work was publicized in a university press release on June 30.Researchers found genetic traces of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of malaria — effectively debunking the longstanding poisoning theory.The team “found a novel strain of Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes the deadliest form of human malaria, in the bones of Giovanni de Medici,” the release said.“The researchers also discovered molecular traces of P.falciparum and a second species, P.

malariae, in the remains of Francesco de Medici,” the statement added.While malaria was endemic to central Italy during the Renaissance, the lack of definitive scientific evidence allowed theories to persist.“Their quick deaths spawned rumors that Francesco’s brother and rival, Cardinal Ferdinando de Medici, had them poisoned with arsenic,” said the statement.It marks the first time researchers have genetically analyzed the brothers’ skeletal remains, confirming earlier evidence they had malaria.The results are “scientific proof to dispel persistent speculation that Francesco de Medi...