ROME, August 15 (RIA Novosti) - An Italian pensioner who lived in an apartment littered with garbage and excrement, and was often seen eating in the company of the homeless, was apparently the owner of over 400 bars of pure gold, Italy's Ansa agency said Wednesday.
The man's neighbors said they had no idea of his wealth until they contacted social services to report a strange odor emanating from his room.
However, the recluse would not open his door when officials came calling, and only after several weeks of keeping watch on his apartment were police and firefighters, aided by curious neighbors, able to get in.
Once inside, they found the 64-year-old hiding under heaps of rubbish, along with 430 gold bars worth $1 million, and gold coins worth over $18,000.
An investigation revealed that the eccentric millionaire was the owner of a drug store that earned him a tidy fortune.
The man was institutionalized and police are trying to decide what to do with the gold.
