Police searching for missing 61-year-old Olga Vasilieva have stepped up investigations in Limassol district, focusing on the Moni area where her mobile phone last transmitted a signal on 21 October, while forensic experts examine the car of a 43-year-old suspect and two items of women’s clothing found in his luggage.
Investigators from the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) searched the Moni area and the suspect’s home on Saturday, 31 October, as they continued investigating the woman’s disappearance as a suspected homicide.
The 43-year-old Syrian national has been remanded in custody for six days by Limassol District Court in connection with an investigation into kidnapping with intent to commit murder.
According to information obtained by philenews, police seized the suspect’s vehicle for examination by the Police Headquarters’ Forensic Investigations Service.
Police investigate last mobile phone signal
Limassol Assistant Police Director Lefteris Kyriakou said investigations were continuing, with officers examining witness statements and evidence gathered since Vasilieva was reported missing.
Her disappearance was reported to Limassol CID on the afternoon of 28 October, prompting police to activate their missing persons protocol.
Kyriakou said initial inquiries raised suspicions that criminal activity might be involved.
After police published Vasilieva’s photograph that evening, investigators received information that strengthened those suspicions.
Searches began the following day at several locations, including the Linopetra area, where the woman’s vehicle was found and seized by police.
Officers also searched open areas based on information about the last locations from which her mobile phone had transmitted a signal.
According to Kyriakou, the last known signal remains the main lead available to investigators in their efforts to locate her.
No evidence leading to her whereabouts has yet been found.
Suspect allegedly booked flights after disappearance was publicised
Kyriakou said the investigation led police to the 43-year-old Syrian suspect, who allegedly booked airline tickets online after Vasilieva’s photograph was released.
According to the police official, the man was attempting to leave Cyprus when authorities located and stopped him.
He was subsequently arrested under a court warrant.
The suspect appeared before Limassol District Court, which approved the police request for a six-day remand order.
Investigators are examining his vehicle, while two items of women’s clothing found in his luggage during his attempted departure are also being investigated.
Alleged financial dispute between suspect and missing woman
Investigators are also examining evidence suggesting that Vasilieva and the suspect had been in a romantic relationship.
According to testimony presented in court, the 43-year-old had told Vasilieva that he owed a substantial sum of money in connection with a personal matter and had asked her for financial assistance.
The issue reportedly became a source of friction between them.
Asked whether police were investigating a possible financial motive, Kyriakou referred to this testimony but did not establish that the disagreement was the motive behind the suspected crime.
Search continues as forensic results awaited
Kyriakou said police were continuing to examine all available evidence, including the last known location of Vasilieva’s mobile phone.
Despite searches in Moni, Linopetra and other locations in Limassol district, investigators have yet to find evidence establishing the woman’s whereabouts.
The Limassol CID investigation remains ongoing, with police awaiting the results of forensic examinations of the evidence collected.
Read more: Limassol murder suspect admits trying to swindle missing woman out of €20,000 (updated)
