Greek Police (EL.AS) officers on Friday detailed how they collected evidence that eventually led a 32-year-old man to admit to the murder of his wife last month, a case that shocked public opinion in the country, in large part to the heinous nature of the crime and his claim of a “home invasion” by three robbers.
According to EL.AS crime labs director Penelope Miniatou, the crime scene was painstakingly screened at the time, while the use of digital material eventually proved “very crucial”.
The husband of 20-year-old Caroline Crouch on Thursday afternoon admitted that he asphyxiated his wife, with the alleged motive uttered, according to police, being her threats to leave him with their 11-month-old daughter.
Charalambos “Babbis” Anagnostopoulos, 32, had come under discreet but intense police scrutiny since the murder in early May 2021 in the semi-rural Glyka Nera (Sweet Waters) township east of Athens proper.
On Friday he was charged with felony homicide, felonious abuse of an animal – he reportedly choked to death the family’s pet Husky and then hung it by its neck next to a staircase – and two misdemeanors.
“During the examination of the digital evidence it became apparent that there were major inconsistencies. A series of questions were asked, answers to which led to solving this case,” Miniatou said told reporters on Friday.
On his part, homicide bureau chief Costas Hasiotis recounted the first images from the crime scene, saying the victim was lying on the couple’s bed with the husband tied up beside her.
He said the most important clue in the first moments of the investigation was the fact that the 20-year-old woman was smothered to death. Additionally, marks were apparent on the hands and feet of the husband from his bonds, but were barely noticeable, the chief detective said. In a confession, Anagnostopoulos said he tied himself up and denied the existence of an accomplice.
The trio of evidence caches that led back to the husband as the likely perpetrator, according to authorities, was footage from a CCTV camera in the condominium’s living room, a “smart watch” worn by the victim and Anagnostopoulos’ cell phone.
Additionally, every one of the man’s claims linked with the presumed “home invasion” were thoroughly checked and then ruled out, the pair said.
Hasiotis said the man was presented with the collected evidence and the apparent inconsistencies in his first descriptions and statements to police.
“In the end, he said he didn’t want to deceive anyone anymore, and that the only thing he wanted was to be with his child; he confirmed the evidence from the forensic examination and confessed to his actions,” the bureau chief said.
Latest News
Athens Int’l Airport Wins Top Prize at Routes Europe Awards
The Routes business is focused entirely on aviation route development and the company's portfolio includes events, media and online businesses
IOBE: Income Gap Between Poor and Wealthy Greeks Widens
The findings in the analysis, entitled “Progressivity in Income Taxation in Greece, 2012-2021", paint a bleak picture for Greeks in the bottom half of the income bracket, warning that income inequality is growing
Study Finds 4 in 10 Greeks to Slash Easter Spending
This year, hit by persistent inflation, many Greeks will be dishing out less on food, drink and gifts for Orthodox Easter on May 5
ELSTAT: Overnight Stays in Greece Up in Feb.
The provisional monthly data revealed that arrivals at tourist accommodations amounted to 773,104 and overnight stays were 1,677,685
Electric Energy: Greece’s New Sustainable Export
Moreover, a surplus of generated electricity cannot be fully absorbed by domestic grids and this excess power finds eager buyers in the form of companies entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), willing to pay a premium for clean energy
IOBE Revises Greek GDP Growth Downward, to 2.1% For 2024
Annual inflation is expected to reach 3%, up from the previous forecast of 2.8%
Last Sections of 136km E65 Highway Inaugurated on Tues.
Athens to Karditsa drive time is expected to drop to two and a half hours (under normal conditions), and some three hours from Athens to Trikala
Reuters: Greece to Repay More Bailout Loans Ahead of Maturity in 2023
The country has relied solely on international markets for its borrowing needs since a third institutional bailout ended in 2018
Ag Min. Avgenakis: Greece-China Cooperation in Research, Education in Agri-Food Sector
Greek minister tours cutting-edge hydroponics and robotics facilities at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing
Mini Holiday Season in Greece for Upcoming Orthodox Easter
Occupancy rates reach up to 90% domestically for accommodations open ahead of peak summer season