Questions remain unanswered over the death of a 37-year-old police officer who was found dead inside his locked service vehicle in an isolated area of Agios Dimitrios, a suburb of Athens.

Authorities are awaiting toxicology and histology results. The leading preliminary explanation is pulmonary edema caused by hypoxia, and the death is currently being attributed to natural causes.

Investigators are working to reconstruct the officer’s final movements and determine what happened before his sudden death. They are examining his cellphone, GPS data and security-camera footage.

Although there are no indications of foul play, the investigation remains ongoing.

Sister says she saw no warning signs

The officer’s sister spoke to the Greek television program Koinonia Ora MEGA, expressing her anguish and uncertainty over the circumstances of his death.

She described her brother as an exemplary person who was well-liked and had shown no apparent personal or professional problems.

She said she had seen him recently and noticed nothing unusual or concerning about his behavior. According to his sister, neither his friends nor his colleagues had noticed any signs of pressure or problems.

His partner became concerned after she was unable to contact him, which led to a missing-person report.

Investigation focuses on his final hours

Nikos Rigas, vice president of the Athens Police Officers’ Association, said the case has not yet been fully clarified because toxicology and histology results are still pending.

According to the forensic pathologist’s assessment, the officer had been dead for at least 10 to 12 hours before his colleagues found him.

Rigas said the findings so far point to natural causes. However, investigators are seeking to determine why the officer was inside his locked vehicle and whether he had communicated with anyone before the incident.

He also emphasized the importance of analyzing security-camera footage and reconstructing the officer’s movements.

A preliminary external examination and the forensic report found no signs of criminal activity, apart from some minor abrasions on his neck.

Psychologist and psychotherapist Poly Kefala, who also commented on the case, emphasized the connection between physical and mental health.

She noted that intense emotional distress can have serious physical consequences and stressed the importance of early intervention and communication to help prevent tragic incidents.