A 46-year-old woman accused of murdering her mother-in-law on the island of Salamina is due to testify on Friday, amid growing scrutiny over her psychological profile and the circumstances surrounding the case. The suspect has already confessed during preliminary questioning, according to police and her legal team.
Her Statements
“I am devastated. I don’t have the strength to speak. I wonder how I reached this point,” the woman told Greek broadcaster ANT1. “I regret every moment of that night. I will tell the whole truth. I ask for forgiveness, but I know that is not enough.”
Her lawyer, Vasilis Tauxis, described his client as being in a state of collapse. He emphasized that she does not intend to use any excuses to seek leniency. “Yesterday, we did not appear before the prosecutor. At the investigator, we attended formally to request a postponement for tomorrow. We could not speak as expected; she was in no condition to communicate,” he said, adding that she was supported by police officers during the appearance.
Tauxis noted that the investigation and case file contain many issues that need clarification. “Many theories about the incident have been voiced, and everyone has their own perspective. No one questions the excellent work of the Homicide Department or the sincerity of the accused, who has fully admitted her guilt in two separate investigative sessions,” he said.
Psychological Evaluation
Psychologist and psychotherapist Vasilena Stavropoulou described the woman as “ruthless,” emphasizing that her personality had developed over many years and was marked by a long-standing addiction to gambling. Speaking on Greek television, she stressed that gambling alone does not explain lethal violence, adding that the case reflects a dangerous personality rather than a psychiatric episode. “Even when the victim was pleading, she did not stop,” she noted, distinguishing between mental illness and violent character traits.
The woman’s lawyer, Vasilis Taouxis, said his client is in a state of collapse and has no intention of using psychological excuses to seek leniency. He added that she has already fully admitted her guilt in two rounds of questioning. According to him, the suspect was unable to properly communicate during their most recent meeting and appeared “in a miserable condition,” supported by police officers as she entered the courtroom.
Police union representative Christos Syndrevelis confirmed that the suspect had been considered a primary person of interest from the beginning. He said investigators identified “amateur mistakes” in her attempt to conceal evidence, including efforts to redirect security cameras. Ultimately, security footage captured the car she used to leave the crime scene, leading to her confession. He added that no evidence suggests a second perpetrator.
The case initially appeared to be a robbery, as the victim’s home—belonging to a 75-year-old woman—was found ransacked. Her daughter reportedly suspected the 46-year-old early on, and investigators soon discovered that the suspect had accumulated significant gambling debts. Police say she entered the home believing she would find valuables, though her lawyer claims she did not ultimately take anything.
Following the killing, the woman allegedly maintained a façade of grief for nearly a month, even positioning herself among the first to arrive at the house on the day of the crime out of “concern” for the victim’s lack of response. She later attended psychiatric appointments and stood by her husband during the funeral, all while attempting to build an alibi.
