A double suicide that took place in the early hours of Thursday in the Zografou neighborhood of central Athens has shocked Greek public opinion.
A couple, both around 50 years old, ended their lives by jumping from the third-floor balcony of their home.
The immediate aftermath of the incident on Ammohostos Street was distressing. Passersby and vendors setting up their stalls for the local farmers’ market were confronted with the harrowing sight of the couple’s lifeless bodies on the pavement. Witnesses were left in disbelief, struggling to comprehend what had just unfolded before them.
As authorities continue their investigation, statements from neighbors paint a complex picture of the couple’s final moments. One neighbor suggested that the pair had been struggling with mental health issues, revealing that they frequently visited Dafni, an area known for its psychiatric facilities. This has reinforced speculation that psychological distress may have been a factor in their tragic decision.
However, another neighbor, a 24-hour kiosk owner who had known the couple for years, offered a different perspective. He stated that he had never noticed any signs of psychological distress and that the man and woman appeared to be in good health.
“Around 4 a.m., I heard a woman scream—it must have been when she fell,” he recounted in an interview with ANT1. “Then I heard a metallic noise, but I assumed it was from the vendors setting up at the market. A little later, a child ran up to me and said that two people were dead. When I went over, I recognized them immediately. They had been my customers for years.”
The kiosk owner further emphasized that nothing had seemed amiss in their behavior. “They appeared completely fine. We often joked around. Even the woman’s father, who lives on the floor above them, seemed fine. There’s a chance he heard the noise too,” he added.
Rumors have been circulating within the neighborhood that the couple may have argued shortly before their fatal plunge. While there is no official confirmation, some residents claim to have heard raised voices before the incident occurred.
A forensic examination has determined that the couple did not suffer any injuries other than those caused by the fall, ruling out any signs of foul play. Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their investigation to establish a clearer understanding of the circumstances that led to this devastating event.
As for the woman’s father, who lived just one floor above the couple, reports indicate that he was woken by the commotion and the horrified reactions of onlookers who discovered the bodies. The grief-stricken father was forced to learn of the tragedy in the most heartbreaking way.
With many unanswered questions still lingering, investigators remain focused on uncovering the factors that led to this sorrowful event.
Related: Mystery Over Death of American Couple in Greece: Accident or Suicide?
