Authorities investigating the death of a 43-year-old woman in Crete are focusing on her former partner, a 40-year-old man, as the main suspect, after he was found dead on Tuesday from a gunshot wound in what is believed to have been suicide.
The woman was discovered on Wednesday in the back seat of her car in a remote area in the Agia Varvara area, southwest of Iraklio, three days after she had been reported missing. Investigators believe the suspect had premeditated the crime, allegedly luring his ex-partner into a trap and shooting her at close range before attempting to establish an alibi.
Police investigations are ongoing, with authorities searching for the suspected murder weapon, reportedly a nine-millimeter pistol, while also examining communications between the two.
Forensic findings from the vehicle reinforce the scenario that the killing took place inside the car, as a bullet was located on the dashboard and a casing in the trunk.
Security camera footage is also being analyzed, with police estimating that the suspect returned to the scene twice, first to move the victim’s car to the secluded location, and later to retrieve his own vehicle in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
Hours later, the man is believed to have taken his own life with a shotgun close to a chapel in nearby Profitis Ilias. His body was discovered by a relative.
The victim, from Dafnes, about 20 kilometers southwest of Iraklio, had left home on Sunday morning and was reported missing by her son that evening. Her funeral is expected to take place on Friday in her hometown.