The investigation into the death of the 38-year-old police officer, who was found dead inside an unmarked police vehicle in Agios Dimitrios, is in full progress, with authorities examining every possible scenario.

The officer, who served with the Athens Patrol Subdirectorate, was found in the driver’s seat of the locked vehicle at the intersection of Pikrodafnis Street and Vouliagmenis Avenue.

Attention has now turned to the results of toxicology tests. The tests are expected to provide crucial answers about the circumstances of his death.

The toxicology results should show whether alcohol, medication or other substances were present in his system, and at what concentrations. They will be assessed alongside the other forensic findings and the evidence gathered by police at the scene where he was found.

One finding inside the vehicle has taken on particular significance. According to reports, authorities discovered a bottle of gin, most of which had been consumed.

So far, however, no conclusion can be drawn as to whether, or to what extent, this finding is connected to the officer’s death. It will be assessed together with the results of the laboratory tests.

The initial forensic findings

According to information from police sources, the forensic pathologist who conducted an external examination of the officer’s body estimated that he had died approximately 10 to 12 hours before he was found.

The same sources said the forensic examination revealed severe pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) and signs of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation).

The evidence under examination

The fact that the vehicle was locked, together with reports of marks on the officer’s body, has created a complex case that investigators are now trying to unravel.

A forensic pathologist and officers from several police units, including the Security Division and the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, were dispatched to the scene on Monday night.

The examination of the scene was completed shortly before 4:00 a.m.

The mobile phone that remained active

One key element in locating the officer was his mobile phone, which remained switched on.

During the search, investigators determined that the phone was transmitting a signal through a mobile network tower covering the wider Agios Dimitrios area.

Search efforts were concentrated there, and the 38-year-old was ultimately found dead inside the unmarked police vehicle.

His disappearance and his partner’s statement

His partner reported him missing on August 10 at around 9:00 p.m. at the Acropolis Police Station, stating that she had not heard from him since approximately 10:30 p.m. the previous evening.

The officer had been scheduled to report for duty that morning but never arrived.

According to her statement, the 38-year-old had no known health problems, and there had been no argument between them before he disappeared.

She initially assumed he had left for work, explaining that it was not unusual for him to be away overnight and return home the following morning.

The critical questions

Investigators are now focusing on the officer’s final hours and the circumstances under which he was found inside the vehicle.

Among other things, authorities are trying to determine who the last person was with whom he communicated and what movements he made from the time he disappeared until he was found.

The findings of the forensic examination, together with the evidence collected from the vehicle and the surrounding area, are expected to shed more light on the case and indicate the direction the investigation will take.

Grief in the amateur club where he played as goalkeeper

The sporting community has paid an emotional tribute to a man who left his own mark on the pitch. Andreas Skalaios, the police officer found dead, was a well-liked amateur footballer and a talented goalkeeper, remembered by those who knew him for his skill as much as for his character and his love of the game.

In a statement, Holargos FC 1947 said the whole club was expressing its profound sorrow at the loss of its former goalkeeper. It said Skalaios had worn the club’s shirt with pride, defended its goal with passion, ethics and professionalism, and left his own mark both on the club’s history and in the hearts of those who had worked alongside him. At this extremely difficult time, the statement added, the thoughts of everyone at the club were with his family, friends and loved ones. The whole club extended its most sincere and heartfelt condolences for their great loss, bidding him farewell and saying he would never be forgotten.