Aigio double death: Investigation shifts to possible murder-suicide as autopsy findings disputed
A month after a 54-year-old woman and her 26-year-old son were found dead in their home in Aigio, Greece, authorities are now examining the possibility that the mother killed her son before taking her own life, casting doubt on the initial double-murder charge against her Italian partner.
The discovery
On the morning of 9 June 2026, police were called to a home in Longos, Aigio, where they found 54-year-old Maria and her 26-year-old son Olympios dead. The first officer on the scene described the scene:
Exactly behind the door was the body of the 54-year-old, face down. Her nightgown was unbuttoned and I noticed over 20 stab wounds on her chest and abdomen.
The 65-year-old Italian partner of Maria, who lived in the house, said he had been sleeping in the living room and woke at 11:00 to find them dead. He called a neighbour rather than the police, later explaining he did not speak Greek well.
The investigation
With no sign of forced entry and security camera footage showing no one else had entered the house, the Italian was arrested and charged with double murder. Police also noted a strong smell of alcohol and a washed pair of his underwear, which they initially suspected was an attempt to clean up. He said he had changed clothes due to gastroenteritis. Blood tests later revealed sleeping pills and cannabis in his system, which his lawyers said explained why he did not wake earlier.
- Bodies of Maria and Olympios discovered; Italian partner calls neighbour instead of police.
- Italian arrested and charged with double murder; police cite no forced entry and 20+ stab wounds on Maria.
- Autopsy photos cast doubt on initial report of a back wound; Patras medical examiner under scrutiny.
- Investigation shifts to possible murder-suicide; grandmother insists Italian is guilty.
Shifting theories
A month later, the case has taken a sharp turn. New autopsy photographs do not show a back wound that had been cited as evidence of a third-party attack. The initial forensic report from a Patras medical examiner is now under scrutiny, and authorities are openly considering the scenario that Maria killed her son with a flare gun and then stabbed herself. Wrist injuries on the woman are consistent with previous suicide attempts, according to reports.
Family's perspective
Olympios's grandmother firmly rejects the murder-suicide theory. She believes the Italian killed her grandson over a property dispute, claiming the house had been registered in Olympios's name and the Italian had invested money in it.
She would never kill her son. She was crazy about him. The Italian killed the child because he couldn't do otherwise, only in his sleep.
What's next
The investigation remains open. Authorities are awaiting DNA analysis from blood stains collected at the scene and the final forensic report. The Italian remains in custody, maintaining his innocence, while no blood, DNA, fingerprints, or gunpowder residue were found on his clothing.
