New details have emerged surrounding the murder of 61-year-old Russian woman Olga Vasilieva, whose disappearance and death shocked the public over the weekend.
Vasilieva, who had lived in Cyprus for the past six to seven years, was reported missing to police on 28 October. However, according to the police announcement, she had not been seen since 23 October.
One of the first details that raised investigators’ suspicions was the condition of her dog, which was found malnourished, strengthening concerns that something was wrong with her prolonged absence.
Property dealings and alleged financial dispute
Vasilieva was involved in buying and selling properties in various parts of Limassol, although she did not do so professionally.
Among the properties she had acquired was a plot of land in Saittas, where the suspect allegedly took her body and disposed of it in a septic tank. The plot was reportedly one of her favourite places, where she often spent time with friends and people close to her.
According to information being examined as part of the investigation, the 61-year-old was in a relationship with the Syrian suspect, who allegedly asked her for €70,000, claiming he had been involved in a road accident and needed to pay substantial compensation.
She reportedly gave him part of the money. Withdrawals from her bank accounts are among the evidence being examined by investigators. Her son also had access to the accounts and knew about her relationship with the suspect.
The man has reportedly lived in Cyprus for around ten years and has one child.
Alleged argument before the murder
According to claims reportedly made by the suspect, Vasilieva had insulted him by referring to his origins shortly before the killing.
He allegedly inflicted fatal blows to her head before keeping her body at his home overnight. He then reportedly transported it to her plot of land in Saittas and disposed of it in a septic tank.
The suspect is also alleged to have poured bleach into the tank.
Similarities with the Nikos Metaxas murders
Commenting on similarities between the case and the murders committed by Nikos Metaxas, Cyprus’ first convicted serial killer, Lefteris Kyriakou said there were certain common characteristics.
He noted that both Vasilieva and Metaxas’ victims had been reported missing. In addition, in Vasilieva’s case, the alleged perpetrator reportedly kept her body at his home overnight before disposing of it in a pit.
Kyriakou pointed to similarities with the case of Arian Palana, also known as Kahkta Anu, one of Metaxas’ victims.
Speaking to Radio Proto, he stressed that the similarities concerned the alleged methods and circumstances of the two cases. However, he said there was no evidence indicating that the more recent crime was an act of imitation.
Also read: Photo found by Olga Vasilieva’s son helped identify murder suspect
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