Horror struck the town of Trikala as a 54-year-old woman was killed by her 18-year-old son inside their home. Authorities report that the teenager strangled his mother with a towel while they were watching television. He later called the police himself to confess the crime.
Following his parents’ divorce, the young man had been living with his father in a nearby village. The mother, who worked in a local public service, had been living alone since her divorce. The teenager had moved in recent years with his father to a nearby village, and neighbors described the relationship between mother and son as tense.
He visited his mother last Friday, but no one could anticipate the tragic events that unfolded this morning.
The teenager, a vocational school student (EPAL), had reportedly faced persistent bullying from peers in recent years due to his family situation. He also cited frequent arguments and communication issues with his mother, claiming he was frustrated by her behavior and disapproved of her post-divorce lifestyle. Neighbors described the family as quiet and the boy as calm and polite, expressing shock at the violent act.
The victim’s aunt added that there had been no warning signs: “They were quiet children who came to play in the neighborhood. Like all mothers, she might have scolded them occasionally, but nothing beyond that.”
Dr. Kelly Ioannou, a forensic criminologist, commented on the case during a television appearance. She noted that matricide is extremely rare and typically involves at least one of three factors: ongoing family conflict, a psychotic episode or underlying psychopathology, or antisocial traits. “What struck me,” Dr. Ioannou said, “is his statement that he had thought about it beforehand, yet the manner in which it was carried out suggests there was no premeditation.”
The 18-year-old is currently being held at the Trikala Police Department and is expected to appear before a judge and prosecutor, likely requesting time to prepare his defense. The investigation continues, with a forensic examination planned to determine the exact cause of the mother’s death.
His sister, who lives and studies in Volos, is in Trikala with their father. Authorities continue their investigation, and the autopsy will determine the precise cause of the mother’s death.
