The 43-year-old man who confessed to the murder of 45-year-old Stavroula Leventaki has been remanded in pre-trial detention following his appearance before judicial authorities in Chania, Crete.
The decision was made with the agreement of the investigating judge and prosecutor, meaning the suspect will remain in custody until the trial process begins.
During his testimony, the accused apologized to the family of the 45-year-old woman for the crime that shocked public opinion. According to his lawyer, the accused expressed remorse and decided to confess after evidence gathered by police placed him under significant pressure.
His arrival at the Chania courthouse was met with anger from relatives and friends of the victim, who shouted accusations against him as he was taken into the building.
Authorities continue search for victim’s notebook
More than three weeks after the crime, investigators are still searching for a notebook belonging to Leventaki, which she used to record personal thoughts and notes.
Police are examining the suspect’s claims and trying to clarify all aspects of the case, including whether the crime was planned in advance and whether all details of what happened have been revealed.
The suspect has claimed that he was a casual cannabis user and had smoked on the day of the incident, saying he believed this contributed to his actions. He also described his relationship with Leventaki and his movements after the killing.
Suspect’s account and actions after the crime
According to statements attributed to the accused, he did not tell his wife about what had happened and later used the victim’s bank cards to withdraw money.
He attempted to continue his normal routine after the crime, visiting a friend and carrying out work-related activities in an effort not to raise suspicion.
The investigation has focused on the actions that followed the killing, with authorities examining whether attempts were made to remove evidence and mislead investigators.
The victim’s relatives have rejected the suspect’s claims about their relationship, describing them as false and offensive.
Contradictions raised during investigation
Investigators say contradictions in the suspect’s statements and changes in his claims played a key role in uncovering the case.
According to information from the investigation, officers from the Chania Criminal Investigation Department examined witness accounts and video footage that raised questions about the suspect’s version of events.
Authorities reportedly identified inconsistencies regarding the timing of his last meeting with Leventaki, as well as his movements on the day she disappeared.
Security footage challenged his account
In his first formal statement on June 14, 2026, the 43-year-old reportedly claimed that after Leventaki left his home, he remained there for the rest of the day, saying he had no other activities and did not go out.
Two days later, in a supplementary statement, he changed his account, saying he eventually left between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to go to Fournés to feed his chickens, explaining that he had simply forgotten to mention it earlier.
However, security camera footage reportedly showed him leaving his home at 6:29 p.m. and returning at 6:45 p.m., a timeline that did not match either version he had provided to police.
Police have also stated that, based on the investigation so far, there is no evidence indicating the involvement of another person in the crime.
