Thessaloniki: Body of 54-Year-Old Man Found After He Was Murdered and Dumped in the Loudias River

A body was discovered near the spot where the 54-year-old man was allegedly dumped into the Loudias River outside Thessaloniki, and authorities believe it belongs to the man who was shot and killed by two men last Saturday in the Malgara–Kymina area.

The body was found by a fisherman, who immediately alerted the authorities. A recovery team is currently at the scene to retrieve the body.

According to information from voria.gr, both the body and the clothing match the description previously given for the unfortunate 54-year-old man. Following the recovery operation, the necessary procedures for official identification will be carried out.

It is recalled that two men, aged 43 and 44, were arrested in connection with the case. The crime initially appeared to have been committed over the alleged theft of pigeons. However, authorities are reportedly attributing the murder to disputes related to drugs.

The 43-year-old suspect, who is being prosecuted for direct complicity in the homicide of the 54-year-old man, was ordered into pre-trial detention on Thursday (May 14) following his testimony before the investigating magistrate.

Meanwhile, the 44-year-old alleged gunman in the murder requested and was granted a new deadline to testify before the investigating magistrate on Friday afternoon (May 15).

Testifying before the 7th regular investigating magistrate of Thessaloniki, the 43-year-old denied the charge brought against him.

“I could never have imagined that my co-defendant would go so far as to take a human life over pigeons. I tried to stop him by taking the gun from him, but he managed to snatch it back and shoot. I froze and could do nothing. I was forced to follow him, and that is how we went and dumped the body into the Loudias River,” he reportedly said in his testimony.

He also admitted that he and the 44-year-old had used drugs prior to the incident.

Timeline of the case

According to a statement by the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.), the crime was committed on Saturday night in the Malgara–Kymina area, outside Thessaloniki. As stated in the announcement, the 44-year-old, with the assistance of the 43-year-old, allegedly shot and fatally wounded the 54-year-old man. The suspects then placed the victim in the storage compartment of a vehicle before dumping the body into the Loudias River.

A coordinated operation followed, carried out by officers of the Homicide and Property Crimes Division, with the assistance of officers from the Delta Crime Investigation Unit, the Delta Police Department and the O.P.K.E. special police unit, during which the two suspects were located and arrested.

Investigations led to the discovery and seizure of a shell casing, while blood stains were also identified. Searches carried out at residences resulted in the seizure of 87.84 grams of methadone, 11.30 grams of cocaine, 10.67 grams of heroin, 4.57 grams of cannabis, an electronic precision scale and €230 in cash.

Authorities also located and seized the vehicle allegedly used in the commission of the crime, in which fake license plates had reportedly been installed.

According to police, the 43-year-old suspect was already wanted under a ruling by a competent Felony Appeals Court to serve the remaining suspended portion of a prison sentence of 7 years, 2 months and 5 days for attempted homicide and drug-related offences.