A 43-year-old man who has confessed to the killing of 45-year-old Stavroula Leventaki was brought before a prosecutor and an investigating magistrate in Chania on Tuesday, as relatives and friends of the victim gathered outside the courthouse to protest against him.
The suspect arrived at the court escorted by officers from the Greek Police’s special operations unit (OPKE), wearing a bulletproof vest and with his head lowered. People close to Stavroula Leventaki were waiting outside the courthouse and verbally condemned him.
The 43-year-old is appearing before judicial authorities in relation to the case, while he is also being questioned over the illegal cultivation of a cannabis plantation, an issue for which a case file had been formed before the homicide investigation was completed.
Speaking outside the court, the victim’s brother, Giannis, strongly criticized the suspect.
“He is a monster. His wife is an even bigger monster than him,” he said, adding that he intends to file a complaint against the 43-year-old for defamation over statements the suspect allegedly made against him.
The confession and the attack
According to information presented during the investigation, the 43-year-old allegedly admitted that he attacked Stavroula Leventaki inside the house he had rented.
Authorities say the woman suffered multiple injuries, with forensic findings showing that the fatal injuries were caused by blows to the head. The knife wounds reportedly linked to the suspect’s confession were described as superficial and were not considered the cause of death.
The suspect reportedly claimed that a serious argument had taken place between them and said they had previously had an intimate relationship. According to his account, Leventaki wanted to reconnect, while he refused, and he claimed that she threatened to tell his wife about their past relationship.
Authorities have treated these claims with caution and continue examining all aspects of the case, including the motive behind the killing.
Three alleged attempts to kill her
According to the suspect’s confession, the attack began after Leventaki entered the house on May 29. He said that, after an argument, he struck her on the head with a wine bottle.
The woman was still alive, according to the account, and the suspect returned with a kitchen knife and stabbed her in the chest near the heart.
When she continued breathing and calling for help, he attacked her again with a piece of wood, striking her on the head. The suspect reportedly told authorities that he stopped only after he believed she had died.
Authorities say the victim’s body was later moved and hidden. According to the investigation, the 43-year-old buried her body in a field in the Vatoklakos area of Chania during the early hours of May 30.
Investigation and next steps
Despite the confession and the evidence collected by authorities, the suspect’s wife has continued to publicly support him.
Investigators are still working to clarify the motive behind the crime.
Final farewell to Stavroula Leventaki
Family members, friends and residents of the area will gather on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. to say their final goodbye to Stavroula Leventaki.
The funeral service will take place at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Varypetro, Chania.
