Missing American woman found dead in Italy (BLOG)

ROME (AP) — The body of an American woman missing inTuscany for three days was found Wednesday beside a busy roadway in what appears to be a hit-and-run accident, Italian police said.

Carabinieri Col. Antonio Frassinetto told a news conference that the body of Allison Owens, 23, of Columbus, Ohio, was found in a canal beside the heavily trafficked road in San Giovanni Valdarno.

Tests have been ordered to determine the cause of death, but investigators believe she had been jogging. Owens may have been using an iPod and not heard a car approaching, Frassinetto said.

Owens was a guide for a tour company. She was last seen alive Sunday afternoon, and more than 100 police using dogs searched for her after friends reported her missing.

Italian media reported that her mother arrived Wednesday and met with investigators.