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> Greece

Disappearance of 39-year-old in Larissa: Family rules out voluntary departure, says investigator Giorgos Tsoukalas

A specialized sonar has been deployed to scan the depths of the Pinios River in the search for Vasilis Kalogirou, who has been missing since the eve of New Year's Eve

Newsroom January 7 04:14

The unanswered questions surrounding the disappearance of Vasilis Kalogirou in Larissa on December 30, 2024, continue to haunt his family. Earlier today, information emerged suggesting the 39-year-old was at a monastery, but this was ultimately disproven, as the person found was not Vasilis Kalogirou.

According to police authorities and private investigator Giorgos Tsoukalas, who took on the case at the family’s request, all scenarios remain on the table, as the investigator told protothema.gr.

The family’s fears that something bad may have happened to the 39-year-old psychologist are growing, as no trace of him has been found, and witnesses claiming to have seen him at various locations have been proven wrong.

“At this moment, all scenarios remain open. The possibility that the 39-year-old left home voluntarily and is safe somewhere else is ruled out by his family. Vasilis went to Larissa to spend the holidays with his family, and according to them, he left in good spirits to take his customary walk by the Pinios River. The family describes him as a composed individual, a psychologist capable of handling any situation. Moreover, footage collected by the police shows him walking calmly. The scenario that something bad or unexpected has happened to him is what concerns the family most. It’s a challenging case, and the search for him continues,” said Mr. Tsoukalas.

Searching the Pinios River with a Specialized Robot
Even a robotic system has been employed in the search for Vasilis Kalogirou. Specifically, the Emily system, equipped with a specialized sonar, has been brought in to scan the depths of the Pinios River.

As volunteer lifeguard trainer of the Hellenic Red Cross, Dimitris Chaliotis, who specializes in rescues in rapid waters, explained: “A team of specialized rescuers from Patras is assisting in Larissa. They are using a boat, a diver, and the robotic system Sonar Emily to examine the conditions at the riverbed.”

The same team has also deployed a drone with a thermal camera for aerial searches, while a ground unit with a specially trained dog is participating in the search for the 39-year-old.

Who is Vasilis Kalogirou
Vasilis Kalogirou is the son of Sofia Apostolaki, the head prosecutor of the Larissa Court of Appeals, who, according to reports, is handling the case of the Tempi tragedy. He is also the nephew of Giorgos Apostolakis, a former vice president of the Supreme Court and former member of parliament for the “Niki” party.

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People who know Vasilis and his family have only good things to say about them. According to reports, Vasilis works as a psychologist in primary schools in Kastoria. He had arrived in Larissa from Kastoria to spend Christmas with his loved ones.

On December 30, according to his family, he went out for a walk near the banks of the Pinios River, as was his habit, but he never returned home. Witnesses claim to have last seen him in the area around the river, but his family has stated that he didn’t take his mobile phone with him that afternoon. Authorities are conducting extensive searches in the area, both along the banks and in the river itself, using specially trained dogs and water detection equipment.

Conclusion
Despite intensive efforts, no evidence has been found so far to shed light on the circumstances of his disappearance.

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#Larissa#missing#missing person#pinios#Pinios River#Vasilis Kalogirou
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