A brutal killing has shaken central Athens, with well-known lawyer and defense attorney Stavros Georgiou found dead in his office late Tuesday night. Coroners Nikos Kalogrias and Symeon Mesogitis reportedly determined his death resulted from severe blows to the head and chest from a blunt and cutting instrument, confirming the killing was carried out with particular brutality, involving repeated blows.

Attica’s homicide division is leading the investigation, working to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage from the area and taking statements from neighbors and nearby workers. Georgiou’s cell phone has still not been located, and police consider it likely to hold key information about his final calls and contacts.

According to accounts, Georgiou had gone silent for hours, worrying his family. His 16-year-old twin daughters repeatedly tried to reach him by phone with no answer, then went to his office and rang the bell insistently. Their cries drew the attention of a building resident, who alerted the doorman; he opened the office and discovered the crime scene.

The doorman’s account

The building’s doorman described hearing the girls calling out, then getting a call to come check. He said the office door was unlocked, only pushed closed, and the bed inside was empty; looking toward the floor, he saw Georgiou lying there. He didn’t go further in, immediately grasping what had happened, and said the girls broke down crying once they understood. He shut the door and handed the key to police when they arrived. The autopsy was set for midday Wednesday.

Beaten to death

Georgiou was found in a pool of blood, his body reportedly nude and in a fetal position, with his clothes scattered around the room; police found no signs of forced entry and no indication the office had been searched. His visibly shaken brother arrived at the scene Tuesday night, telling reporters he too had been trying to reach Georgiou since midday without success.

Early evidence points investigators toward a criminal act, with the victim apparently suffering repeated, fatal blows to the head. The coroner reportedly found no wounds from a sharp object or firearm; police are examining whether the injuries came from punches and kicks or an object, and haven’t ruled out additional injuries from falling against furniture during the attack.