Crete death investigation shifts to suspected homicide

The perplexing death of 49-year-old Alekos Daskalakis in Messara, Crete, has taken a dramatic turn as forensic investigators now suspect foul play. Two months after Daskalakis was found severely injured by his wife and subsequently died, the medical examiner's report points towards a possible homicide, reopening the case and sparking renewed concern among local authorities and residents.

“

I wasn't told he was hit or fell. I didn't understand anything. The only thing visible was the blow to the nose. Until then.

This development prompts a meticulous re-examination of the available evidence, including video footage from the day of the incident and testimonies from individuals who were present. The authorities are working to piece together the final hours of Daskalakis's life, attempting to reconcile the initial narrative of an accidental fall with the emerging possibility of an intentional act. Witness accounts, including that of a friend who saw Daskalakis shortly before he was found, highlight inconsistencies and raise doubts about the initial assessment.

“

He left me there (in the field) and told me 'Nikos, I'll bring you coffee around eleven, half past eleven, twelve.' And I told him 'Bring it whenever you want.' Noon came and I was waiting for him, but he didn't come. Later, when I started work again, I heard a noise from the scooter.

One friend recounted finding Daskalakis semi-conscious with a blow to the nose, stating that the injury did not appear consistent with a simple fall. The friend also noted the absence of dirt or debris on Daskalakis's head, which would be expected if he had fallen. Another witness, a worker whom Daskalakis had driven to a field that morning, described hearing a noise from a scooter shortly after Daskalakis left to buy coffee, adding another layer of mystery to the timeline.

“

It just didn't look like a fall. I mean, if he fell off the motorbike, wouldn't he have hit his legs, his arms? And the blow to the nose couldn't be from falling on the ground, for example. And on his back, there wasn't even bleeding. He wasn't dirty either. His head didn't have, let's say, dirt or grass. Nothing.

The investigation is focusing on reconstructing the sequence of events, particularly the moments when Daskalakis was returning with coffees and sustained his injuries. The scene described by witnesses, with scattered coffees, suggests a disturbance. The inconsistencies noted by those close to Daskalakis, combined with the forensic findings, have shifted the investigation's focus from accident to potential homicide, leaving the community seeking answers and justice for the deceased.

“

Before that, Alexis didn't have anyone to hit him, to kill him. Everyone right now, I don't know how they will react.