The 19-year-old Myrto from Argostoli was a girl who had the misfortune of being beautiful. She died in the early hours of Easter Tuesday without even being given a chance to be saved, had she been taken to the hospital in time. Yet even before the three young men who took her out onto the street “so as not to get involved” were brought before justice, a peculiar “trial” of the victim had already begun, with the main accusation being that she was beautiful.

Even though two of the three accused, aged 26 and 22, already had criminal records for various offenses, it was Myrto’s beauty, makeup, and clothing that ended up “on trial.”

The basic outline of what happened that fatal night has been formed, as information and details continue to come to light every day. However, crucial elements and questions remain unknown and unanswered, while testimonies that have surfaced call for further investigation to reveal the full and true dimensions of the tragedy.

For example, why did Myrto contact a 66-year-old man from Preveza on Easter Monday night, telling him she had left her home, and why did he send her €220 “so she wouldn’t sleep on benches”? The messages she exchanged with her mother do not suggest any prior family issue—they were messages of love and affection between mother and daughter.

According to her father, everything was orchestrated by the 23-year-old in order to extract money from the 66-year-old man, who has already been called to testify, and Myrto became a pawn in his hands.

At nursing school

Myrto, who would have turned 19 on August 10, was an ordinary girl—what one might call “the girl next door.” According to relatives and friends, nothing in her daily life was excessive. She attended classes at the Nursing School at the Argostoli hospital and wanted to build her life in the place where she was born and raised.

Her father even said he discouraged her from studying in Athens out of fear for the dangers she might face in the capital. He acknowledged her beauty and believed it made her more vulnerable, warning her to be careful of “demons with angelic faces.” There is no evidence or testimony suggesting that Myrto was a regular drug user.

All indications suggest that on that fatal night she did what has become somewhat common in recent years—occasional cocaine use. It is widely known how easily such substances can be obtained: with a phone call, like ordering delivery. About a month earlier, a singer in Karditsa was killed after a dispute with young men who had come to deliver cocaine he had ordered.

Annual studies on drug use based on wastewater analysis in various cities show that occasional users are many, and usage increases on weekends and holidays. In this context, on Easter Monday night, shortly after returning home with her partner, Myrto went out again. Shortly after midnight, she booked and paid via IRIS for a rented room, which she entered accompanied by the 23-year-old and left unconscious in the arms of the 26-year-old former weightlifter, as if she were an object to be discarded.

Myrto, who was buried on Friday, was commented on far more than those who left her helpless to die. So much so that her half-sister felt compelled to protest the obvious: “Is the issue how she dressed or whether she had lip fillers, or that some people abandoned her and she died?”

Video evidence

Who, then, are the three young men who appeared one after the other at the police station—two with lawyers, the third accompanied by his father—and how did they decide that avoiding trouble was more important than giving the girl a chance to live?

According to witness testimonies, preliminary statements, and video footage obtained by police, Myrto went to the Airbnb accompanied by the 23-year-old accused. He had returned to Kefalonia for Easter, had met her at a wedding, and had continued communicating with her online.

A friend of Myrto reportedly tried to dissuade her from associating with him, considering him dangerous. The 23-year-old claimed they went to the rented room “to hang out, listen to music, and talk.” He blamed the victim for the drugs, claiming she said “I want to drink,” meaning cocaine. He admitted calling the 26-year-old former weightlifter to supply the drugs, claiming Myrto paid for them.

It is noted that when she was found, she had only €8.50 on her. She had paid for the room via IRIS, according to the owners. The 23-year-old claimed she requested a second batch of drugs, which the 26-year-old delivered. By the time the third accused, aged 22, arrived, Myrto was already in bad condition.

The three argued over what to do and whether to call for help—the main concern being “not to get involved.”

According to the 22-year-old’s side, he was called in when she was already in serious condition and had not used drugs himself. The former weightlifter claimed he thought she was having a seizure and put his finger in her mouth “so she wouldn’t swallow her tongue.”

The 23-year-old had no prior criminal record, but the other two did. The former weightlifter had nine case files against him for offenses including drugs, theft, damage, and bodily harm, and was free under restrictions.

Criminal background

The 22-year-old of Albanian origin also had a criminal record. Eventually, according to the 23-year-old, he called an ambulance, while the other two decided to move the unconscious girl outside.

When the ambulance arrived, the two young men claimed they had found her but denied knowing her. Valuable time for effective assistance had already been lost. Paramedics confirmed the lie and described their intense efforts to keep her alive. When they arrived, she was alive but breathing with difficulty and had a very weak pulse.

At the Argostoli hospital, efforts intensified, but she arrived in cardiac arrest. Doctors described in detail their attempts to save her. Both the Health Minister and the hospital denied claims that no doctors were present.

At 5:45 a.m., it was confirmed that Myrto had died. The cause of death was pulmonary edema, while toxicology results are pending.

The news of her death spread rapidly, first in Kefalonia and then across Greece. Crucial to identifying the suspects was the attentiveness of the Airbnb owners, who reviewed security footage and saw two young men carrying the unconscious girl.

Police quickly found the lead needed to determine what had happened. The fact that she had no visible injuries did not initially point to a criminal act.

Her parents were notified and went to the hospital. Hours later, her father stated to police that he wished to press charges and formally joined the case as a civil claimant. As he said, Myrto was completely healthy, with no underlying medical issues.

The three accused are now expected to stand trial on felony charges of homicide by omission and aggravated possession and use of narcotics.