Police may apply on Monday to renew the remand of the 43-year-old man who confessed to killing 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva. His remand order expires the same day, and investigators from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are still waiting for telecoms data and test results on evidence. The 61-year-old’s mobile phone, recovered from the sea in the Moni area on Tuesday, has been added to the case file.
Cross-checking the confession
Despite the confession, investigators are seeking to verify the 43-year-old’s account against witness statements, findings and records. They are examining the movements of the two before the killing, as well as what followed until the 61-year-old’s body was moved, the next day, to a sewage pit in her field.
The aim is for every key point of the case to be backed by independent evidence, so that it can be proven even if the suspect changes or withdraws part of his statement.
Telecoms data and CCTV footage
Particular weight is being given to the telecoms data of the 43-year-old and the 61-year-old, which will be examined alongside CCTV footage. Some of the recordings have already been received and are awaiting assessment.
Answers are also expected from the Police forensic services on evidence collected from various scenes as part of the investigation.
Decision on remand and charges
Whether police seek to renew the remand on Monday will depend on the progress of these tests. The case is expected to be filed in court at a later stage, once the investigation file is complete.
A decision is also pending on the charge the 43-year-old will face, namely whether the case will be filed as premeditated murder or manslaughter.
On the seabed at Moni
Divers located Olga’s phone on the seabed after the 43-year-old pointed out the location. The device’s last signal had been recorded in the same area, through a mobile phone mast, on the afternoon of 21 October.
The phone has been collected as evidence and will be examined to establish whether data can be recovered that would help clarify the 61-year-old’s movements and communications.
Search for her handbag and the €35,000
The search continues for Olga’s handbag, which contained her identity card, wallet and bank cards, as well as for other items that may be connected to the case.
Checks are also expected on the bank accounts of the 61-year-old and the suspect. Investigators are looking in particular at a €35,000 withdrawal Olga had made in the preceding days, in an effort to establish where the money ended up. However, information indicates that Olga used the money for other purposes, linked to her work.
Max finds a home
Meanwhile, Max, the 61-year-old’s dog, is now being cared for by people from her close circle.
Her lawyer and friend, Pambos Ioannou, said in a social media post that Max is well, after being left alone in the flat without food for about a week. As he wrote, caring for Max is the least they can do in her memory.
