New details emerging from the patricide case on the Greek island of Leros are raising serious questions about missed warning signs, after a child protection organization revealed it had alerted authorities years before the fatal incident.

The 17-year-old suspect is accused of killing his 50-year-old father during an argument at the family’s auto repair workshop on Thursday. According to police, the teenager threw a heavy mechanical object that struck his father in the head, causing fatal injuries.

When authorities arrived, the victim was found dead at the scene, while the teenager reportedly claimed the incident was an accident. Witnesses said a heated argument had taken place shortly before the attack.

As the investigation unfolds, testimonies from local residents paint a picture of a troubled household. Neighbors described a history of frequent conflicts and alleged that the teenager had been subjected to long-term physical and psychological abuse. According to accounts, the violence was widely known within the small community, and arguments between father and son were reportedly common.

In a significant development, the child protection organization “Smile of the Child” stated it had informed authorities as early as 2021 about alleged abuse within the family. The report, submitted to prosecutors at the time, described repeated mistreatment of the then 12-year-old boy, including an incident in which the father allegedly threw a hammer at him.

The organization said no effective intervention followed, calling the case a “tragic failure” of the system to protect vulnerable individuals. It stressed that the outcome might have been prevented had appropriate action been taken.

Police confirmed the teenager’s arrest on charges of homicide. He is expected to appear before a prosecutor, as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the case and the broader family environment.