Two and a half years after the mysterious disappearance of the “rebetis of Aristotelous,” Periklis Tsiapanos, in Thessaloniki, his family remains shattered by anxiety and pain.

The prosecutor’s decision to archive the case leaves Periklis Tsiapanos’s family without answers and with open wounds that will not heal. His sister describes in a deeply moving way the psychological state of their mother, who has sunk into depression and has lost her smile. With tears in her eyes, the sister expresses the guilt and remorse she feels because she cannot find her brother, feeling that this failure weighs on the family every single day.

Speaking to “Fos sto Tounel” (Light in the Tunnel), she says that everything she does is dedicated first to their mother:
“Everything I do is first for her. I see her suffering, withdrawing into herself, and I feel that I must continue in order to keep hope alive.” The family’s anguish remains constant, and every new piece of information or rumor about Periklis awakens memories and emotions that have still not healed.

Despite the financial difficulties he faced, Periklis’s sister firmly rejects the possibility that he left voluntarily. The absence of any activity in his bank account since September 2023, when he disappeared, intensifies the anxiety about what really happened.
“How could he be living? He had no resources. What is happening fills us with uncertainty and fear,” she says.

His family and friends have searched every possible place where Periklis might be. From monasteries on Mount Athos to abandoned buildings and squats in Thessaloniki, no trace of him has been found. The uncertainty about his fate leaves a huge void and deepens the anguish of his loved ones.

The investigation that led nowhere

Efforts by friends and relatives to find evidence have been fruitless. They have visited every possible location, checked information and testimonies, but no clue has emerged that could lead to the truth. The lack of clear answers from the police has caused anger and frustration.

Periklis’s sister describes her communication with the authorities:
“They only gave me a sheet of paper with two or three details and asked me why I wanted it. I want answers, so I can provide information to a lawyer or to the program. If something is found, the case could be reopened.”

The sense of injustice is strong, as the possibility of criminal activity has been ruled out, while the theory that he left voluntarily convinces none of his loved ones.

“It’s time for those who know to speak”

Friends and associates of Periklis Tsiapanos emphasize that there may be people who know something but have not spoken. Their hope is that someone will eventually provide information so that at least his body can be found, allowing the family to close a chapter of pain and anxiety.

As a friend says:
“Our friend’s case was archived without any evidence being found. We tried as much as we could to discover something, searching areas in Harilaou, Toumba and elsewhere, but without result.”

The anxiety continues daily as time passes without any new evidence emerging that could shed light on the disappearance.

Periklis Tsiapanos lived a simple life, devoted to his music and to his beloved dog. His disappearance leaves unanswered “whys” that torment both his family and his friends. Periklis was known for his generosity and kindness, while everyone who knew him recognized his love for the bouzouki and his unique way of life.

The uncertainty about his fate, the lack of answers from the authorities, and the closing of the case create a deep wound. His family and friends hope that one day evidence will emerge that will bring some relief and allow this pain to come to an end.

“All we want is at least to find his body, so we can give his mother the peace she deserves,” his sister concludes.