Greek pilot guilty of killing British wife, babys mother, and hanging pet dog

A Greek helicopter pilot has been found guilty of murdering his young British wife in front of their baby girl and hanging their pet dog in Greece.

Confessing in court, Babis Anagnostopoulos, 34, claimed that he killed Caroline Crouch in a fit of anger after a domestic fight. He now faces a maximum of 35 years in prison according to Greek law.

Initially, Babis had alleged that three robbers broke into their home, tying him up, hanging their puppy, and strangling his wife in front of their 11-month-old daughter, Lydia. However, police doubted his statements and continued to investigate.

Babis maintained the lie for over a month, even delivering a eulogy at her funeral, until evidence from his mobile phone and Ms Crouch’s smartwatch contradicted his account.

Data from his mobile phone showed movements in the house at the time he claimed to be tied up by the supposed robbers.

Anagnostopoulos was convicted of murder, perverting the course of justice, and killing the family dog, receiving up to 25 years in jail for killing his wife and a separate maximum 10-year-sentence for killing the dog.

He confessed to smothering 20-year-old Ms Crouch, stating it was done in a “blurred state of mind”.

During the trial, the prosecutor and judge recognized the vital role played by technology in solving the crime.

“Thankfully he didn’t think to remove her smartwatch, which gave us valuable data. I call this divine retribution,” said Evgenia Stathoulopoulou, a prosecutor.

Ms Crouch, born in Liverpool and raised on the island of Alonissos, had expressed feeling trapped in the marriage during sessions with a therapist. She described her husband as narcissistic, controlling, and manipulative.

The court heard how Anagnostopoulos had flown a helicopter over her school in an attempt to impress her during their courtship.

“I was very clear in my advice that she should leave him because this could turn out dangerous for her,” said therapist Eleni Mylonopoulou.

“I hope that God will forgive me. I will never forgive myself,” Babis told the court. He admitted to hanging the pet dog, Roxy, stating, “There is no excuse…what has been lost is irreplaceable.”

The couple’s daughter, Lydia, is being raised by Ms Crouch’s British father and her Filipina mother on Alonissos.

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