A GRIEVING mum stuffed her anorexic model daughter's body into a suitcase and dumped it in the sea as she struggled to cope with her loss.

The unnamed Russian mother, 48, was working as a nurse in Italy when her daughter Katerina Laktionova, 27, died.

5 These are the first pictures of anorexic Russian model Katerina Laktionova, whose body was found in the sea in Italy Credit: East2West news

She admitted keeping her daughter's corpse for a week before packing it in a suitcase and throwing into the sea in Rimini, Italy.

The mum then flew home to Russia and told a friend she had "gone mad because of the tragedy" following her daughter's death from anorexia and wanted to "wipe away" all memories of her.

5 Katerina was just 35kg when she died Credit: East2West news

Katerina's body was found in the sea off Rimini by Italian fishermen.

Her mum allegedly told a male friend: "She's dead. I looked at her for days, and then I lost my mind and closed her in a suitcase and threw her into the water."

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She had apparently known her daughter was seriously ill and had been trying to get her help for a long time.

The 27-year-old had been repeatedly hospitalized because of her condition.

Recently, Katerina's mother had wanted to take her back to Russia for treatment.

5 Katerina had lived in Italy for about two years before she died Credit: East2West news

Tragic Katerina only wished 35 kilograms - around 5.5 stone - when she died and was described as "flesh and bones".

Katerina's dad Alexander, 46, said his ex-wife had moved to Italy around two years ago with Katerina, and he was in shock over his daughter's death.

5 Katerina had been treated in hospital many times because of her condition Credit: East2West news

He said that while his daughter suffered from anorexia she was "normal".

"I have photos. She was in great shape, a photo model.

"She was into dancing all her life. I am shocked."

5 Katerina's mum said she went "mad" with grief following her death Credit: East2West news

Police in Italy have now launched an investigation into the Katerina death and the disposal of her body.

Officials said that she died from malnutrition, Tass news agency reported.

Investigators originally thought that the remains were of a German woman who went missing from a cruise ship in February.

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