Man hid father's body in freezer to continue receiving pension

Greek police have arrested a 55-year-old man from the city of Mystras in the south of the country after a search of a closed hotel he owns revealed his father's body inside a freezer in the building's basement.

According to the Greek news site Euro2day, investigators suspect the son concealed his father's death to continue collecting his pension. The investigation was launched following reports regarding the prolonged disappearance of the elderly man, who was born in 1936.

When questioned, the son initially claimed that his father had moved to Athens. However, his sister, who lives in the Greek capital, told police she had not seen their father in years. Following these contradictions, a search was conducted at the hotel where the suspect resided, leading to the discovery of the body of the man, aged approximately 90, inside a basement freezer.

The son admitted that his father had died of natural causes about two and a half years ago and that he had hidden the death to continue receiving pension payments. During the search, police also seized an air pistol. A forensic investigator and a medical examiner were called to the scene, and an autopsy has been ordered.

A case has been opened against the suspect for perjury, ongoing fraud, and weapons law violations. He is expected to appear before a prosecutor, while the Sparta crime unit continues its investigation.

The father's disappearance had raised suspicions among local residents, who claimed the son prevented people from approaching the hotel and its courtyard. As reported by the Greek site Newsbomb.gr, police only began monitoring the suspect after a formal complaint was filed, which ultimately led to the discovery of the body and his arrest. Authorities are currently awaiting autopsy results to determine the circumstances of death and clarify all suspicions against the son.