The disappearance of Roula Pantou from Ioannina, 14 years later, remains one of the most mysterious chapters for Greek authorities.
The 40-year-old, a mother and active member of the local community, mysteriously disappeared in July 2011, leaving behind a huge void and a series of unanswered questions.
Roula, according to those who knew her, was a warm and giving person with a strong sense of family and responsibility. Hardworking, low-key, with a love for her loved ones. No one could have imagined that, from one moment to the next, she would disappear without a trace.
The night of the disappearance, the intense argument with an unknown man outside her apartment building and the testimonies that later came to light created a thriller without answers. A thriller that involves not just one person, but an entire society that wonders how a man can disappear so suddenly and never be found.
The notary’s testimony
At various times, various clues and testimonies would come to light, such as the testimony of a notary public that Roula was in a hurry to settle her estate just before she disappeared, as if she sensed evil approaching, but then they fell on deaf ears.
It is noted that 3 months before the disappearance, Roula Pandou went to a well-known notary in the city, made a parental provision of an apartment she had to her daughter, telling her that she wanted to secure her child, because she feared for her life.
The notary spoke of a frightened woman.
A week after the disappearance, Roula’s car was found parked outside the city’s technical high school, locked with all her personal belongings missing.
Her family claims murder – New developments in the case
Despite all the investigations and public interest, no evidence has been able to bring a definitive end to this story. Roula Pantou remains “missing”, but not forgotten.
Roula’s family is convinced that the woman has been murdered and that she is no longer alive.
For fourteen years now, she has been trying to gather evidence to prove her murder, with persons from Roula’s inner circle among the frame of suspects. According to the family’s lawyer, Dimitris Bouka, who told protothema.gr that the evolutions in the disappearance case will be big.
“Criminal charges have been brought against unidentified persons for murder with intent. There is some evidence under investigation, and in the coming days, there will be developments in the case of Roula.”
Her memory continues to live on in the hearts of the people who loved her, but also in those who see in her case the symbol of a society that ought not to remain silent in the face of injustice.
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