Police have located the mobile phone of Olga Vasilieva, the 61-year-old woman who was murdered in Parekklisia by a 43-year-old man who has confessed to the crime.
The discovery comes as investigators continue examining the circumstances of her death and the possible motive behind the killing.
Suspect allegedly moved victim’s body
The 43-year-old allegedly attempted to conceal evidence after the murder by moving Vasilieva’s body to a septic tank in a field in Saittas.
According to his statement to police, he struck the woman on the head with a hammer following an argument at his home in Parekklisia.
He allegedly kept the body there overnight before transporting it to Saittas the following day. He also reportedly showed investigators where he had disposed of the weapon.
Financial disputes examined as possible motive
Investigators are examining financial disputes as a possible motive for the murder.
They are looking into information suggesting that the suspect attempted to obtain money from the 61-year-old by claiming he had been involved in a traffic accident.
Police are also examining withdrawals amounting to thousands of euros that were made before her disappearance.
Suspect stopped at Larnaca Airport
Vasilieva’s disappearance was made public on 28 October. The following day, the 43-year-old reportedly bought plane tickets to Beirut.
On 30 October, he attempted to leave Cyprus through Larnaca Airport with four pieces of luggage but was stopped by the authorities.
A lawyer and close friend of the 61-year-old, Pambos Ioannou, played a key role in bringing the case to the attention of the authorities.
He became concerned after learning that her dog had been barking persistently and that she could not be reached.
Contact with her son, who lives in Russia, helped establish her relationship with the 43-year-old. A photograph he sent to the authorities, together with CCTV footage, contributed to the suspect being identified.
The 43-year-old remains in eight-day police custody as investigations into the circumstances and motive of the murder continue.
Also read: Olga’s murder: Timeline from her disappearance to the discovery of her body
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