Athens court sentences husband to life for premeditated murder of wife, body hidden in attic

A 42-year-old man received a life sentence from the Mixed Jury Court of Athens on 29 May 2026 for the premeditated murder of his 32-year-old wife in the Ampelokipoi neighborhood. The court unanimously found him guilty of intentional homicide, rejecting by a 6-1 majority his claim that he acted in a state of mental distress. The prosecution described the crime as premeditated, highlighting the perpetrator's 'monstrous composure' in concealing the body.

The crime and its concealment

The murder took place in 2024 in the couple's apartment. According to court testimony, the defendant struck his wife with a hammer, then strangled her with a charger cable. He subsequently wrapped her body in burlap and blankets and hid it in the attic of the home, where it remained for a week before being discovered by authorities.

After the first blow with the hammer, he did not help her at all, because he did not want to help her. He did not help her because he clearly wanted to kill her, which is why he continued with the charger cable.

Court's verdict and reasoning

The court imposed a life sentence plus an additional two and a half years in prison for illegal weapons possession and use. The majority of judges and jurors dismissed the defendant's argument that he acted in a fit of rage after his wife allegedly told him she would leave and take the children, claiming one child was not his.

The defendant had monstrous mental calmness and had long ago decided that he wanted to kill his wife. The only thing he cared about was his children; his wife never interested him from the beginning.

Prosecution's case

The prosecutor argued the crime was premeditated, stating the defendant had been planning it for some time and waited for the right moment. The prosecution emphasized that a person truly in a state of mental distress would have immediately notified the police, whereas the defendant attempted to conceal both the victim and his crime. The prosecutor noted the body was wrapped in eight layers and carefully placed in the attic, along with the hammer.

He wrapped the body with eight layers and carefully placed it in the attic, just like the hammer. He claims here that he was in a state of mental distress—no, he was not. He had monstrous mental calmness.

Defendant's testimony

In his apology, the defendant claimed he struck his wife once with a hammer after she told him she was leaving and taking the children. He said he attempted CPR without success, then wrapped her body and hid it in a closet before preparing snacks for the children. The court, however, found his account inconsistent with the evidence of prolonged concealment and planning.