The tragic story of 43-year-old Eleftheria Giakoumaki, a mother of three whose murder shocked the island of Crete, began on what seemed like an ordinary Sunday morning. She left her home saying she would return shortly. According to investigators, she had arranged to meet her 40-year-old former partner at the small chapel of Agios Panteleimon—a place they had often visited together.

A Sunday that Turned Deadly

Police say everything unfolded within seconds. The 40-year-old man, Marinos—himself the father of a young girl—had reportedly decided that Eleftheria would not live without him. Armed with a 9mm pistol, he waited for her at the chapel. When she arrived, he approached the driver’s side window and shot her in the head at point-blank range. The wound was through-and-through, while a shell casing was later found in the trunk of the car. A forensic examination is expected to clarify the exact circumstances of the crime.

After the Murder: A Calculated Escape

After killing Eleftheria, the perpetrator hastily concealed the car and fled on his motorbike. During his escape, he fell and suffered minor injuries. He then sought help at a nearby café, claiming he had been in an accident, and called a taxi. According to local reports, he likely did not carry a mobile phone to avoid being tracked.

Shortly before noon, he took a taxi to his home in Malades, near Heraklion. From there, he retrieved his own car and returned to the crime scene. He moved the victim’s body into the back seat of her white Honda and drove to the area of Agia Varvara, where he abandoned the vehicle in a ravine.

Monday: Suspicion Grows

In the early hours of Monday, police officers visited the suspect’s home. He claimed that his injuries were the result of a motorbike fall. At that point, Eleftheria had already been reported missing, and a public alert had been issued.

Tuesday: The Suicide

By Tuesday afternoon, the 40-year-old was found dead near the chapel of Panagia Kardiotissa, close to the village of Profitis Ilias. He had taken his own life using a sawn-off shotgun. The news stunned both his relatives and Eleftheria’s family, who had already begun to fear the worst.

In his statement, the suspect’s brother revealed that the 40-year-old had given him an envelope containing letters. In them, he referred to his child and to Eleftheria, suggesting he had been contemplating suicide.

Wednesday: The Grim Discovery

Search efforts continued intensively. Using a police drone, authorities eventually located the victim’s white car in a remote riverbed near the junction of Agios Thomas. Inside, they found the body of the 43-year-old, covered with the hood of her jacket.

Her sons, brother, relatives, and friends arrived at the scene, while police forces cordoned off the area.

“He Destroyed Two Families”

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the perpetrator’s brothers spoke out, visibly devastated. “We are speechless at what we are learning about our own brother. We must now stand by his child. There are no words for the harm he caused this family. He gave us no sign—nothing to stop it. He destroyed two families,” they said.