A non-binary British person whose naked body was found in Italy had attended an LGBTQ 'pagan gathering' where some members allegedly engaged in dangerous sex games and drug-taking. 

Benjamin Braithwaite, 35, was last month discovered dead in Piano Milo, Sicily, beside a length of rope. 

It is not yet known how they died but there are speculative theories over whether foul play or a sex game gone wrong are to blame – and it has also been suggested that they could have taken their own life. 

Officers are believed to be keeping an open mind about their cause of death. 

Braithwaite, who is said to have been non-binary and used the pronouns they/them, reportedly went by a number of names including River and Wasp. 

They are understood to have arrived in the area several days before their death and had become involved with a group living an alternative lifestyle in abandoned farm buildings and makeshift camps surrounded by countryside.

Their body was found naked at around 3am on September 13, close to a farmhouse where members of the community had been staying.

According to local reports, a rope was discovered nearby and initial medical examinations identified marks around their neck, prompting investigators to examine whether they could have died as a result of asphyxiation. 

According to The Telegraph, Braithwaite had been attending a 'queer' pagan event organised by a New Age organisation. 

A former member, who left after becoming 'disenchanted', described the organisation as a 'very paganistic' group.

He claimed that some members participated in 'druidy' rituals, frequent drug-taking and dangerous sex games, with 'vulnerable' newcomers subjected to 'sexual grooming'. 

The ex-member told the newspaper: 'When I heard about [their] death, I wasn't surprised... I always knew that one day something like this would happen.'

He added: 'I found it to be harmless – until it wasn't. There are some characters who are quite dark, manipulative.'

The man claimed that in reality the group, whose members call themselves Radical Faeries, was 'a front for drugs and sexual and spiritual grooming'. 

He said: 'I have seen this scenario before. Someone who is fairly attractive and new joins the Faeries and certain people take advantage of them, sexually and spiritually.' 

The whistleblower added that newcomers were often 'at a low ebb and vulnerable'.

He believes Braithwaite could have died in a drug-fuelled 'choking' sex game or even 'rape under the influence of drugs'. 

There is no suggestion the organisers of the group were aware of any such activities or that they support them. 

Speaking about his own experiences with the group, he recalled how one member in Northumberland allegedly brandished a knife during a psychotic episode after taking drugs. 

And in a separate incident in France, the man claimed another member had their drink spiked. 

The 35-year-old Briton was found at around 3am on September 13 in the countryside between Noto and Canicattini Bagni in the province of Syracuse.

Local reports suggest investigators have moved away from the possibility that they took their own life, while a theory that their death may have followed an erotic game gone wrong remains under investigation.

Members of the organisation believe they died by suicide with one message in an encrypted chat room stating that 'Albion Faerie Wasp (also known by River) took their own life', with claims Braithwaite had been suffering with depression 'most of their life'. 

A post-mortem examination was carried out last month, although Italian reports say it has not yet provided a definitive explanation for how Braithwaite died.

Toxicology and other examinations are expected to provide further evidence as police continue to reconstruct their final hours.

Braithwaite is understood to have arrived in the area several days before their death and had become involved with a group living an alternative lifestyle in abandoned farm buildings and makeshift camps surrounded by countryside.

Their body was found naked close to a farmhouse where members of the community had been staying.

According to local reports, a rope was discovered nearby and initial medical examinations identified marks around their neck, prompting investigators to examine whether they could have died as a result of asphyxiation.

Italian police are also investigating whether drugs or other substances were involved after detectives found a substance at the scene as well as an image of a half-man, half-goat painted on a stone slab with curved horns and a goatee beard. 

Local reports at the time of their death claimed imagery had been found nearby of 'a goat's head, several bottles of psychotropic drugs, and other objects suggesting rituals'. 

However, authorities have stressed that there is no evidence linking Braithwaite's death to an esoteric or occult ritual. 

But police have declined to comment on whether Braithwaite was murdered or died from an overdose. 

Local reports suggest, however, that investigators do not believe they hung themselves. 

Braithwaite was reportedly found after people attending a gathering at the rural site noticed they had left while they were eating and playing music.

Inside the tent a bondage-style leather harness hanging from the ceiling was found in addition to a shelf of rubber gas masks. 

A nearby cave contained a large collection of women's fancy dress clothing. 

The website Faerie Sex Magick states that during so-called workshops: 'Using heart circles, we explore deeper levels of emotional intimacy, group communication, and affirmative consent. 

'We call for authenticity in all expressions, including erotic touch, sexual healing, and mutual liberation.

'The workshop is intended to explore deeper levels of emotional and physical intimacy than might be possible in other faerie spaces. 

'Within the structure and safety [of] the workshop, we create a container to allow us to explore the edges of our desire and to realize the fullness of our healing potential...

'A nonparticipant faerie, whom we call a dragon, usually cares for us by cooking meals while we circle – amazing faerie love! – and serves as a buffer with the outside world so we can focus on the group dynamics in isolation.'

However the website states these activities are 'alcohol and substance-free' and organisers 'tolerate no violent words or deeds'. 

Meanwhile 'consent is mandatory and explicit' and 'no one is coerced, pressured, or forced to do anything they don't want to do'. 

It adds that 'previous experience and being comfortable with faerie, queer spirit, polyamory, or similar communities or gatherings will help a lot' with its events. 

The area has become home to a number of people who have chosen to live away from conventional society, with some occupying abandoned farmhouses and makeshift settlements. 

'The young people who decided to live in those areas are also graduates who chose to leave everything behind. We hope the investigations can clarify what happened,' he said.

'These are people I've met in the evenings, especially during events organised in the village. They've always been kind. They live in reorganised villages surrounded by nature.'

Braithwaite's family has been informed of their death and the FCDO said it was supporting them.

A spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Italy and are in touch with the local authorities.'