Private investigator Giorgos Tsoukallis describes the disappearance of Stavroula Leventaki in Chania as “an unprecedented missing persons case” — unlike anything he has encountered in his long career — speaking exclusively to parapolitika.gr. As the search enters its 20th day with no trace of the 45-year-old woman, the seasoned investigator says he does not believe this is a case of voluntary disappearance or suicide. At the same time, he notes that the evidence so far leaves open both the possibility of a criminal act and that of a random incident, such as a road accident, stressing that the case remains surrounded by many unanswered questions.
“Based on the information available to me, I don’t consider it likely that this is a voluntary disappearance. This woman does not fit the profile of someone who would choose to vanish without informing her loved ones, and there is no apparent reason that could have led her to take her own life,” Tsoukallis states.
According to the investigator, particularly significant are reports that Stavroula Leventaki had been handling a substantial sum of money prior to her disappearance. “If this information about the large amount of money is accurate, no one can overlook it — it must be factored into the investigation,” he points out.
He explains that a critical factor is whether the money was in cash or held in a bank account. “If she had taken it out in cash, things become even more complicated. And of course, it matters whether someone — or more than one person — knew about it,” he notes.
Giorgos Tsoukallis on the Stavroula Leventaki disappearance: “I won’t be surprised at all if we uncover surprises”
Despite having worked on some of the most high-profile missing persons cases in Greece, Tsoukallis says this particular case does not remind him of any other. “I have dealt with a great many disappearance cases — the Alex Meschishvili case, the Vangelis Giakoumakis case, and many more. But this case does not bring anything comparable to mind,” he stresses.
“That is exactly why I said this is an unprecedented disappearance. I won’t be surprised at all if, as the investigation progresses, we encounter some surprises,” he adds, implying that new developments may yet come to light.
Nevertheless, he expresses confidence that the authorities have the necessary tools to get to the truth. “The investigative authorities have tools at their disposal. The lifting of phone secrecy, the surveillance cameras being reviewed in the area, and the science of criminal investigation can all contribute enormously to solving this case,” he concludes.
The timeline of 45-year-old Stavroula Leventaki’s disappearance
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 30, Stavroula Leventaki stopped by her family home in Varypetrο, Chania, and then met with a farmworker to pay him for agricultural work. After the meeting, according to a witness account, she headed toward the city bus stop to return to Chania — but her phone suddenly stopped transmitting a signal and was switched off in the broader area of Agia. From that moment on, she vanished without a trace.
The disappearance of Stavroula Leventaki was officially reported on June 7 — eight days after she was last seen — and a Missing Alert was issued the same day. According to her brother, the delay in reporting was due to the fact that he had been hospitalized until June 2 and was slow to realize she was missing. It has also been widely reported that the two siblings did not have a close relationship.
The details troubling the authorities
The key detail concerning the authorities is that the 45-year-old’s mobile phone suddenly stopped transmitting in the broader Agia area, with her trail going cold at a location with no security cameras. Also raising concern is the fact that she was so insistent on meeting the farmworker in person to hand over the payment. Finally, the fact that the disappearance was not reported for so many days — by her own brother — has not gone unnoticed.
It is worth noting that experienced officers from the Criminal Investigation Division carried out a new, thorough search of the missing woman’s home, looking for even the smallest piece of evidence that could help solve the case. At the same time, aerial searches are being conducted using the specialized drones available to the Hellenic Police, as well as specially trained search dogs.
The key person in the case
Meanwhile, a new and particularly significant round of witness statements has begun. A person considered pivotal to the case, from within the missing woman’s close circle, was called once again to give a statement to the authorities. This is Stavroula’s tenant, who gave his statement to the Chania Police Headquarters for a third time. This individual is believed to be among the last people to have seen Stavroula alive, which is why he is considered a key figure in the investigation.
