A chilling and increasingly complex investigation is unfolding in Aigio, following the deaths of 54-year-old Maria and her 26-year-old son Olympos inside their home. Greek authorities have so far failed to gather conclusive evidence linking the 65-year-old Italian man — Maria’s partner and the sole suspect arrested in the case — to the double homicide. As new forensic findings emerge, earlier assumptions are being re-examined.
The Arrest and Initial Claims
The 65-year-old man was arrested shortly after the crime and remains in custody, denying any involvement. From the outset, he claimed that Maria had shot her son with a shotgun and then fatally stabbed herself with a knife. This version was initially dismissed after the initial autopsy report described multiple stab wounds — including one to the back — inconsistent with self-inflicted injury.
New Forensic Doubts
However, recent developments cast doubt on that key detail. Photographs from the autopsy do not appear to confirm the presence of a stab wound to the back. As a result, investigators — led by prosecutor Vasilis Lampropoulos — are now reviewing the original forensic report. The forensic pathologist from Patras, who noted the back wound, is under scrutiny, and authorities are assessing whether the initial examination was thorough and accurate.
Timeline and Suspicious Circumstances
The incident occurred in the early hours of June 9 in Aigio. According to the suspect’s statement, he had been sleeping in the living room and discovered the bodies of Maria and her son inside the young man’s bedroom.
Police focused on the Italian man early on, citing several questionable actions after the discovery: instead of calling emergency services directly, he first contacted a neighbor, who then alerted authorities. Officers also detected a strong odor of alcohol at the scene and found a pair of the suspect’s underwear that had been washed — details initially interpreted as possible attempts to clean up evidence.
The suspect explained that he changed and washed his underwear due to gastroenteritis, and contacted his friend — rather than police — because he does not speak Greek fluently. He also stated he remained asleep until 11 a.m., citing sedatives and cannabis found in his blood test as reasons for his deep sleep. Laboratory tests revealed no blood, DNA, fingerprints, or gunpowder residue on his clothing.
Forensic Evidence Points Elsewhere
Under Maria’s fingernails, only her son’s genetic material was found. Meanwhile, DNA recovered from the shotgun used to kill the 26-year-old belonged to Maria, her son — and a third, unidentified person. Crucially, that third profile does not match the 65-year-old suspect.
Shifting Focus
With mounting inconsistencies and no physical evidence tying the suspect to the killings, investigators are now revisiting all possibilities. The most plausible scenario currently under consideration is that Maria — who reportedly struggled with psychological issues — killed her son and then died by suicide.