Bitter divorce seen as a motive in Pyrgos attack

A bitter fallout following a divorce appears to be the central cause of the murder-suicide fire attack which unfolded in Pyrgos, Limassol, in a chilling case which shocked the island.

The brutal killing of a 79-year-old man in the picturesque village in the foothills of Troodos sent shockwaves throughout Cyprus, as details emerged on Thursday that the 59-year-old suspect had purchased his own grave and tombstone two years ago.

According to Limassol CID chief Lefteris Kyriacou, the house was set ablaze by the nephew of the 79-year-old victim, named as Michalakis Mangas Demetriou, at midday Wednesday.

Local media spoke to members of the suspect’s family who claimed that a series of threats had been made against them as they maintained ties with the 59-year-old’s ex-wife.

The two women who were also present in the house, one of them the suspect’s aunt and the other a neighbour of the victims, are now intubated at the burn unit of Nicosia general hospital in serious condition.

The suspect – identified as Stylianos Christofi – was found dead two hours later next to his car, about a kilometre away from the attack. A hunting shotgun was found next to his body.

The ex-wife reportedly turned up at the scene of the crime later on Wednesday evening, unable to comprehend what had occurred. In another bitter twist, the daughter of the 79-year-old had taken her father to a doctor’s appointment for a check-up just a few hours prior to the attack.

They were cited as saying that the man became enraged after he felt that the family had sided against him, instead favouring his wife, who is a foreign national.

Police spokesman Christos Andreou confirmed reports that the authorities are investigating the familial fallout from the divorce as a possible motive. Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC on Thursday, he emphasised, however, that the suspect is now dead – complicating efforts to ascertain further details.

Daily Phileleftheros cited family members of the victims as saying that despite some of the recent threats made against them – stating that he would burn them, they never believed that the threats would be followed through.

The family member said that the suspect felt betrayed after having heard that ex-wife was receiving assistance from members of the family.

“He was hearing various things from various people,” the source was quoted as saying, adding that: “He argued with his family because we maintained ties with his former wife, they had her over for a few days after their divorce and that led to arguments.”

Another family member was reported to have said that the suspect appears to have suffered from various mental health issues.

The daily also spoke with a member of the community, who said that he was approached by the suspect two years ago as the 59-year-old wished to buy a grave and a tombstone.

Asked why, the suspect reportedly replied: “It’s possible that I’ll die.”