Μake us preferred on Google A prosecutor has ordered the arrest of a 68 year old woman and her son on charges of failing to report a death, after skeletal remains believed to belong to the woman’s 90 year old mother were found wrapped in nylon and a sheet in the basement of the family’s home in Marathon.
The elderly woman had lived in the house with her daughter for the final years of her life. The case came to light after a complaint from the elderly woman’s granddaughter, who reported losing contact with her grandmother roughly a decade ago.
The police, directed by the 78 year old daighter, initially searched the property’s yard with specialized equipment but found nothing there. The remains were later located in the home’s basement.
The elderly woman’s remains were found in the basement of the home in Marathon. Friday, September 4, 2026 (DANAI DAVLOPOULOU/EUROKINISSI)
A forensic anthropologist was called to the scene and completed an on site examination. The bones have since been transferred to a forensic laboratory, where officials will attempt to formally identify the remains and determine how long ago the death occurred, as well as the cause of death if possible.
Arrests and family accounts
Following the discovery of the remains, the prosecutor issued an order for the arrest of the 68 year old daughter and her son, the elderly woman’s grandson, on charges of failing to report the finding of a dead body.
Speaking to authorities and the media, the daughter appeared composed and maintained that her mother had died of natural causes roughly a decade ago. Asked why no funeral had taken place, she said only, “I didn’t hold a funeral for her, these are personal matters.” She also maintained that she did not remember where her mother’s body was located.
The grandson said earlier that he had no involvement in the case, telling authorities he lived outside the capital at the time of the incident. He said his mother had repeatedly reassured him that she had “handled the matter,” and attributed her actions to her poor psychological state in recent years.
Separate investigation into pension fraud
Alongside the criminal case over the concealment of the body, authorities are pursuing a separate investigation into financial fraud against the Greek state.
According to information from the relevant police authorities, regular withdrawals were made from the elderly woman’s bank account using a debit card up until August. Investigators are now working to identify who had access to the card and who collected the pension payments illegally over the years.
