An autopsy conducted on Sunday, 1 November, has established that 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva died from a severe traumatic brain injury caused by blunt-force trauma. Her 43-year-old Syrian partner, who reportedly confessed to the killing, remains in police custody.
According to SIGMA correspondent Evangelos Evangelou, the post-mortem examination determined that the woman’s death resulted from a severe head injury caused by blows with a blunt object.
The autopsy was conducted by forensic pathologist Nikolas Charalambous.
Hammer reportedly used in killing
According to the report, investigators identified a hammer as the weapon allegedly used by the 43-year-old suspect to kill Vasilieva.
The hammer was reportedly discovered in a storage area near the location where the woman’s body was recovered.
The findings form part of the ongoing investigation into the suspected premeditated murder.
Suspect remanded in custody for eight days
The 43-year-old, who reportedly admitted to killing the woman during police questioning, appeared again before Limassol District Court on Sunday.
The court ordered that he remain in custody for eight days while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
The suspect had been rearrested shortly after midnight under a court-issued arrest warrant in connection with the suspected offence of premeditated murder.
Suspect led police to the body
The developments follow an investigation by the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID), initially launched in connection with suspected abduction with intent to commit premeditated murder.
During questioning on Saturday, the 43-year-old reportedly admitted responsibility for the woman’s death.
He subsequently directed investigators to a specific location where he claimed to have disposed of her body.
Officers from Limassol CID, assisted by members of the Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), searched the area and recovered a woman’s body from a sewage manhole.
An initial examination at the scene by forensic pathologist Nikolas Charalambous revealed that the body was in the early stages of decomposition and had sustained several injuries to the head.
Police investigation continues
The post-mortem findings have now established severe traumatic brain injury resulting from blunt-force trauma as the cause of death.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding Vasilieva’s death, including the weapon reportedly used and the events leading up to the killing.
Limassol CID remains responsible for the ongoing investigation.
Images from the location where the body was discovered:
Also read: Murder of 61-year-old Olga: Head injuries discovered, 43-year-old suspect rearrested
