A chilling femicide has shocked Greece in the Rhodope region, where a 54-year-old man fatally stabbed his 44-year-old estranged wife and then attempted suicide by ingesting pesticide. The crime occurred on Wednesday, 26 August — the same day as their daughter’s birthday — marking a devastating end to what was meant to be a family celebration.
Tragic Return Home
The victim had recently returned to Rhodope from Thasos, where she worked seasonally, in order to spend time with her children and celebrate her daughter’s birthday. Nothing foreshadowed the horror that would unfold. According to authorities, the suspect — identified as a 53-year-old man — attacked his wife with a knife, inflicting fatal wounds to her neck. He then self-harmed with the same weapon and drank pesticide.
Teenage Daughter Alerted Authorities
The couple’s 16-year-old daughter played a tragic yet crucial role: she contacted emergency services midday on 26 August, reporting that her father had stabbed her mother in the neck. Her 19-year-old brother rushed their mother to Komotini General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was also taken to the same hospital by EKAB ambulance after ingesting pesticide and sustaining abdominal injuries. His life is not in danger.
Longstanding Tensions and Unaddressed Mental Health Concerns
The couple, originally from Albania, had lived in Greece for the past two decades. Reports indicate the woman had been preparing to file for divorce — a process scheduled to begin formally on Thursday, 27 August. Her lawyer, Evangelia Kola, confirmed to newsit.gr that the victim had planned to submit divorce papers the day after the murder but never got the chance.
Kola revealed that the suspect had been under psychiatric care and exhibited long-standing pathological jealousy. In fact, the victim had previously petitioned for her husband’s involuntary admission to a psychiatric facility — a request that was ultimately not granted. The couple had a history of domestic violence, including an earlier incident in Heraklion, Crete, in 2020, when they resided there permanently.
Charges and Evidence
The Komotini Criminal Investigation Unit has filed charges against the suspect for premeditated homicide, domestic violence, and violation of firearms law — despite no firearm being used, suggesting possible possession or prior history involving weapons. Two knives were seized from the scene.
In a heartbreaking detail shared by her lawyer: “We had arranged to meet tomorrow to move forward with the divorce — but unfortunately, we didn’t make it.”