Murder and suicide investigation in Heraklion, Crete

On April 19, 43-year-old Eleftheria Giakoumakis was murdered by her 40-year-old former partner near the Agios Panteleimon chapel in Dafnes, Heraklion. According to police, the perpetrator shot her in the head with a 9mm pistol while she sat in her white Honda vehicle. He subsequently moved her body to the rear seats and drove the car to a field near Agia Varvara, where it was discovered on April 22. Surveillance footage reconstructed his movements, showing him abandoning the victim's car and using taxis to travel between the crime scene and his home in Malades. Reports indicate the perpetrator had previously monitored the victim using GPS tracking and had damaged her car tires. Following the crime, the man attempted to deceive authorities by claiming he had a motorcycle accident. When investigations narrowed on him, he committed suicide on April 21 near the Panagia Kardiotissa chapel. The perpetrator’s family expressed shock and apologized to the victim’s family, stating they had no warning of his actions.