Investigations are in full swing into the circumstances surrounding the death of 19-year-old Myrto from Kefalonia, a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. At the center of the case is the relationship she had developed with a 66-year-old man from Preveza, in western Greece, who made a video call with her shortly before she collapsed. The two had been exchanging messages throughout the night, and the man even offered to send her €220 via IRIS—a popular instant payment system used in Greece.
The €220 Transfer and Claims of Manipulation
Speaking to TV, the 66-year-old claimed the young woman told him she had left her home after an argument and had nowhere to stay. “She said she would sleep on a bench. I asked her if she had a friend or someone close to go to. She said, ‘No, I have no one.’ So I sent her €220 through IRIS,” he explained, defending the transfer. He now alleges he was manipulated into giving money.
“Later I realized what happened. They must have run out of money in Kefalonia after Easter. Then they thought of me. The 23-year-old knew I wouldn’t refuse €100 or €200. They staged this whole ‘act’ of a girl in distress,” he added. He also admitted he had previously sent money to the 23-year-old, despite having only met him twice, saying he had helped him in the past when he was in financial trouble.
On the night she received the €220, Myrto reportedly spent €50 on a room and gave €80 to the 26-year-old former weightlifter.
The Calls Before and After the Collapse
The 23-year-old appears to have trusted the 66-year-old enough to call him first when Myrto collapsed, asking what to do with her phone. “At 05:04, my phone rang. I woke up and he told me he had her phone, which was turned off, and asked what to do. He said Myrto had been taken to the hospital by ambulance. When I asked what happened, he said, ‘we did coke’—something like that—and she had seizures and foam coming out of her mouth,” the 66-year-old recounted.
The call ended at 05:12 a.m., but two minutes later, the 23-year-old called again. This time they spoke for 23 minutes. “He told me he had reached the hospital but saw police outside and was afraid to go in,” the man said. At 06:09 a.m., he called once more, saying he had left the phone at a café. That was their last contact.
“I found out what happened the next day. Around 1 p.m., I messaged him asking, ‘What happened to the girl?’ He replied: ‘She died.’ I was in shock,” the 66-year-old said, insisting he never contacted him again afterward.
Conflicting Testimonies Raise Questions
Questions have been raised over inconsistencies in testimonies. Despite knowing who Myrto had been communicating with that night, the 23-year-old reportedly did not mention the 66-year-old in his initial statement. Meanwhile, the older man insists he believed Myrto was alone during their video calls. “She never moved the phone around. I only saw her—no one else,” he said.
The 66-year-old voluntarily presented himself to authorities last Wednesday, gave a statement, and handed over his mobile phone. “I’m not rich. I couldn’t leave a young girl alone on the street at night. I’m from the old school—when someone is in need, you help. They just wanted my money. I’m the victim here. People are calling me the mastermind—it’s unbelievable. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.
The 23-Year-Old’s Defense from Prison
From his prison cell in Korydallos, Greece’s largest detention facility, the 23-year-old—whom Myrto’s family accuses of trapping her—spoke publicly for the first time. He denied all charges, including allegations of pimping or involvement in a criminal network. “That night, when I went to the room with Myrto, I wore a wig and makeup. When the 26-year-old took her outside, I stayed behind to remove them. Myrto was my friend. We went there to listen to music and make TikTok videos,” he claimed.
He said they had known each other for about 18 months, having met at a wedding in Kefalonia. “It wasn’t a recent acquaintance. We met a few times over Easter for coffee and drinks,” he added.
The 23-year-old had been living in Athens and visiting his hometown less frequently. He and the 26-year-old—described as a former weightlifter—are distant relatives from the same village. Their arrest and pre-trial detention have shocked the local community. The grandmother of the 26-year-old showed reporters his medals and trophies, expressing disbelief at his involvement. “Of course I’m devastated,” she said.
Family Grief and Final Messages
Myrto’s mother, speaking to Greek broadcaster MEGA, said simply: “I’ve lost my whole life.”
Text messages exchanged between Myrto and her boyfriend that night also paint a troubling picture. Shortly after midnight, she sent videos and told him she was with the 23-year-old. She invited him to meet, but he did not respond meaningfully. By 09:10 a.m., he sent a message: “Are you there? Bro…”
Meanwhile, questions remain about the accommodation where the incident took place. Initially, the property owner claimed no other guests were staying that night. However, her son—who manages bookings—told MEGA that both internal and external security camera footage had been handed over to police from day one. “It’s possible some footage wasn’t recorded, not deleted. There wasn’t just one room available that night,” he said.
Authorities are now awaiting toxicology results and phone data analysis, which are expected to be crucial in determining the exact cause of death.
The Girl in Room 11: A Key Witness
A key witness may soon shed more light on the case. An 18-year-old woman who was staying in the adjacent room that night is reportedly ready to testify. According to sources, she did not leave her room when she heard shouting because she was afraid and was told by a 22-year-old man to stay inside. The man later told her he found Myrto on the floor and tried to revive her.
The family’s lawyer emphasized that the critical question is not just the calls made that night, but who was actually behind them. New revelations are expected from the analysis of all involved parties’ phones, as well as the toxicology report.
Another potential key figure has emerged: a childhood friend of Myrto named Rania, who is expected to testify that the 23-year-old had allegedly threatened the victim in the past—even threatening to kill her.
