Almost a year has passed since the death of Panagiwttaki, and the public anxiously awaits answers about what truly caused the deaths of five infants in Amaliada — and whether Eirini Mourtzoukou was unfairly targeted. The case file has already returned to the prosecutor’s office, which will forward it back to the homicide department with instructions for the three-member committee to take over.
Once forensic experts finalize their reports, the file will return to the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.), be sent to the prosecutor, and a decision will be made on whether criminal charges will be filed against Mourtzoukou or others involved.
Meanwhile, Mourtzoukou — who was present during all five infant deaths — has not yet been called to testify, now represented by her new defense attorney, Nikos Alexandris.
“My client will speak about everything when officially summoned, and then many who are talking non-stop may have nothing to say,” said her lawyer.
“Based on what I’ve followed, Eirini is the only one who hasn’t significantly changed her statements — the same cannot be said for the other protagonists,” noted Alexandris. He added, “We’re almost treating this Three-Member Committee as an oracle — does that mean crimes weren’t clarified before?”
He concluded: “There are many elements the court must consider before reaching a verdict. This is not as simple and straightforward as it seems. There will be major surprises in the process and trial. Eirini hasn’t spoken yet, and you’ll see how important it is for her to do so.”
The latest development involves the submission of expert reports from a pulmonologist, pediatric neurologist, and two histopathologists. Everyone is waiting to see if the Three-Member Committee will confirm or refute initial findings suggesting the children died from interstitial pneumonia.
“I believe once the forensic report is issued for both Panagiotis and the four infants, it will clarify whether there was a homicide or not,” stated forensic pathologist Dimitris Galenteris to Live News. “It’s rare enough to expect interstitial pneumonia in four children and anticipate death — it becomes even more unusual when there’s a common person present at all deaths.”
Forensic pathologists Karakoukis, Kalyva, and Kalogrias are tasked with solving this complex case. According to sources, they are thoroughly studying the Panagiwttaki file and are expected to deliver their findings before the end of July.
A pulmonologist appointed by EL.AS. rejected the diagnosis of “interstitial pneumonia” found in three previous forensic reports, supporting instead the theory of suffocation. Even more definitive was the pediatric neurologist, who pointed toward signs of “asphyxia.”
The two histopathologists, although not assigning a specific cause of death, documented their microscopic observations:
– Interstitial pneumonia in three out of four infants
– Brain edema
– Heart edema
– Edema and pulmonary hemorrhage in the lungs
– Congestion and fatty degeneration of liver cells
– Hypoxia finding in the thymus gland in two out of four infants
The opposing side argues that hypoxia/asphyxia findings are non-specific, and without physical injuries, all scenarios remain open. On the other hand, the possibility of interstitial pneumonia as the cause of death is not only questioned by EL.AS. experts but also by the main figures themselves — Mourtzoukou and the parents, who insist the babies were healthy.