Police have isolated genetic material from a motorcycle and a cap belonging to its driver linked to the gangland murder of Stavros Demosthenous in Limassol, which could provide a breakthrough in the investigation if successfully identified.
Police managed to extract DNA from a jockey cap found at the scene with the burnt van, which appears to have been worn by the motorcycle driver who fled with the perpetrators of the murder and dropped it.
They also found evidence on the motorcycle which was hastily abandoned in Agios Tychonas.
Regarding the motorcycle, it appears the perpetrators intended to set it on fire just as they did with the white van earlier. However, their plans were disrupted by a police helicopter that happened to be in the area for another reason.
When the helicopter received information about the wanted motorcycle and its direction of travel, it immediately rushed to the area. This forced the perpetrators to abandon the vehicle with hasty camouflage and escape by other means.
Investigators have gathered a series of elements pushing the investigation in a specific direction, ultimately overturning the initial assessment that this was a perfectly planned crime.
Although the execution is attributed to a professional hitman – all shots hit Demosthenous and left his 18-year-old son, who was sitting next to him and was not a target, unharmed – the escape plan, though followed, had flaws.
Police moved quickly, aided by the helicopter, citizens, and the perpetrators’ mistakes: first, they dropped the cap, indicating they weren’t wearing balaclavas to avoid drawing citizens’ attention (unlike in the Kalogeropoulos murder), and then they hastily abandoned the scooter, an action that could prove catalytic for the investigation.
Additionally, 72 hours after the killing, police have arrested four suspects, all allegedly connected to the motorcycle believed to have been used for the perpetrators’ escape.
While motives and instigators may not yet be known, authorities are not in the dark, unlike with the murder of Alexis Mavromichalis or other similar unsolved cases.
The results of genetic material analyses from the Institute of Neurology and Genetics may determine investigators’ next steps, as individuals might be connected to scenes and evidence, potentially giving new impetus to efforts to solve this brutal murder.
Today, decisive developments are expected in the case that has shocked Cyprus, mainly due to the killers’ method of operation and the timing they chose to execute their plans, disregarding the risk to innocent lives.
The fatal ambush took place around 9:30 on the morning of October 17, approximately 500 metres from Demosthenous’s home in the Sfalangiotissa area.
Read more:
