Suspect in Vâlcea murder, Vlad Bălțățeanu, has surrendered to Swiss police
The main suspect in the killing of Valentina Tănăsie, whose body was found in a suitcase in the Olt river, surrendered to authorities in Switzerland on 28 September.
Suspect in Vâlcea murder arrested in Switzerland after surrendering to authorities
Vlad Bălțățeanu, the 30-year-old man suspected of murdering his girlfriend and throwing her body into the Olt river, surrendered to Swiss police on the evening of 28 September 2026, according to ProTV News. An international arrest warrant had been issued against him in absentia.
"The judicial authorities in Romania have been informed, through official channels, of the fact that the male person who has the status of defendant in this case, against whom search proceedings are being conducted on the basis of an international arrest warrant, has surrendered to the authorities in Switzerland on the evening of 28.09.2026", Romanian authorities stated.
Body found in a suitcase floating on the Olt
The investigation began after a suitcase measuring approximately 80 by 50 centimetres was spotted floating in the area of the Zăvideni dam, on the Olt river, in Vâlcea county. Inside was the body of Valentina Tănăsie, a 28-year-old young woman from Filiași, Dolj county, the daughter of a well-known lăutar in the area. The body was discovered on 22 September 2026, in the area of the Ionești Dam.
Valentina lived in Vâlcea with Bălțățeanu, a hairdresser whom she had met online. The two had been in a relationship for approximately three months.
Forensic examination established that the death was violent. According to preliminary information from the investigation, the victim had head injuries, broken ribs and several contusions.
Father had called 112 before body was discovered
Valentina's father alerted authorities after he could no longer reach his daughter. Their last conversation had taken place in the night of Sunday to Monday, after a party. According to the father, Valentina had told him that Bălțățeanu had consumed a lot of alcohol and had threatened her. The next day, concerned, the father contacted him as well.
On Friday, Valentina was laid to rest.
Violent past and escape through Hungary
Bălțățeanu managed to cross the border through Hungary before the suitcase was discovered floating on water. The suspect has a violent history: four years ago, a provisional protection order had been issued in his name in a case involving another partner. The case, initially opened for rape, went to court under the charge of assault or other acts of violence.
Source: Știrile ProTV