Serres: Arrest warrant issued for 36-year-old son over father's murder with hammer
An arrest warrant was issued against the 36-year-old son of 67-year-old Giorgos Chatzidis, who was found dead in his home in Serres on 1 August.
Arrest warrant issued for son in Serres murder case
An arrest warrant was issued on the afternoon of Tuesday against 36-year-old Avraám Chatzidis, son of 67-year-old Giorgos Chatzidis who was found dead in his home in Serres on 1 August. According to in.gr, the information comes from ERT Serres.
The 67-year-old pensioner bore multiple injuries to the abdominal area from a blunt object — likely a hammer or mallet. The forensic examination concluded that it was a criminal act, whilst among the injuries a complete hammer impression was found. The case developed into an investigation for patricide.
The role of "Light in the Tunnel"
The case was brought to public attention by the MEGA television programme "Light in the Tunnel", presented by Angeliki Nikolouli. The now-accused 36-year-old had spoken on it, appearing willing to assist in clarifying his father's murder.
Avraám Chatzidis was the one who had found his father dead and had maintained from the outset that it was a burglary intended for robbery, even suggesting possible perpetrators from the area. However, police had placed him at the centre of the investigation from the beginning, as the poor relations and frequent friction between father and son were known.
Statements, video footage from security cameras in the area, and results from forensic laboratories — DNA analysis, fingerprints and biological material — were utilised to clarify the case.
Two visits that don't add up
The programme presented video from security cameras that recorded Giorgos Chatzidis's movements on Thursday 30 July, two days before he was found dead. At 11:40 the 67-year-old left his house courtyard and moved slowly along the pavement; ten minutes later he returned. At 12:19 he left again, whilst at 12:54 he returned definitively and was not recorded leaving again.
The same day, at 19:23, Avraám Chatzidis arrived at his father's home for the first time. He remained there for approximately seventeen minutes and left at 19:40. He had not initially reported this visit to the authorities, claiming to Nikolouli that he did not remember it.
A few hours later, at 01:54 in the early hours of Friday 31 July, the 36-year-old returned to the house carrying a white plastic bag. He claimed that he had brought food to his father after his work shift ended. Approximately six minutes later he left, with the bag not appearing in his hands as he exited.
During the conversation with Nikolouli, the accused was taken aback when it was pointed out to him that the cameras had recorded him arriving in the afternoon — and not at night, as he had initially stated. He attributed the discrepancy to memory gaps that he linked to health problems. He also denied that there had been a quarrel, arguing that his father was vulnerable and could not even speak.
Forensic findings and the moving of the body
Particular significance attaches to findings from the post-mortem examination — autopsy — presented by "Light in the Tunnel". According to the programme's information, focal post-mortem lividity was recorded on the dorsal surface of the body. This finding raises the question of whether the 67-year-old's body had been moved after death and placed on the sofa.
The forensic report also references a post-mortem impression suggesting a shoe sole on the left inguinal region. This finding has been measured and is in the possession of the authorities.
Another piece of evidence concerns the stomach contents: according to the forensic assessment it was empty, a fact suggesting a time interval of at least twelve hours since last digestion — information that the authorities can use to determine the time of death.
Neighbour and minor burglars
A neighbour of the victim testified to "Light in the Tunnel" that she heard loud voices from the house, and that the quarrel before the murder stood out from all previous incidents in the family.
On 25 July, a few days before the murder, a break-in had occurred at the 67-year-old's house in his absence. Avraám Chatzidis continues to argue that underage Roma who had broken into the house are responsible for the murder as well, saying that if pressed by the authorities, they will confess.
The 36-year-old was called on the morning of Saturday 1 November to Serres Security, where he gave a statement as a suspect in his father's murder. Subsequently, according to in.gr, the arrest warrant was issued against him.
Source: in.gr