In a harrowing case that has shocked Switzerland and beyond, Kristina Joksimovic, a former model and Miss Switzerland finalist, was brutally murdered by her husband, Thomas. The gruesome details of the crime, which occurred in February this year, have recently come to light, revealing a chilling sequence of events.
Crime and Confession
Kristina Joksimovic, 38, was found dead in her home in Binningen, near Basel. Her husband, Thomas, 41, initially claimed he had discovered her body and dismembered it in panic. However, during a crime reconstruction in March, Thomas confessed to strangling his wife and dismembering her body. He claimed he acted in self-defense after she attacked him with a knife. Thomas’s appeal for release from custody was denied by the Federal Court in Lausanne on Wednesday.
Horrific Details
The investigation uncovered horrifying details about the murder. According to an autopsy report, Joksimovic’s body was dismembered using a jigsaw, knife, and garden shears. Several body parts were then processed in a hand blender, “pureed,” and dissolved in a chemical solution. These grisly actions were reportedly an attempt to conceal the crime. Medical experts found no evidence supporting Thomas’s self-defense claim, confirming that Joksimovic died from strangulation.
Previous Violence and Mental Health Concerns
The case is further complicated by the couple’s history of violence. Thomas had previously assaulted Joksimovic, with police being called on several occasions due to domestic violence reports. The ongoing investigation has revealed “concrete indications of a mental illness” related to Thomas’s behavior. Prosecutors noted his “high level of criminal energy, lack of empathy, and cold-bloodedness” in the aftermath of the crime.
Community and Personal Impact
Joksimovic, who was crowned Miss Northwest Switzerland and was a finalist for Miss Switzerland in 2007, was remembered as a prominent figure in the Swiss modeling community. Her murder has left the community in shock. Former Miss Switzerland Christa Rigozzi, who was a friend of Joksimovic, expressed her horror at the details of the case, stating, “It’s terrible. I’m really shocked.”
The couple, married in 2017, lived in an affluent area of Basel and shared two daughters. The case has highlighted issues of domestic violence and mental health, raising questions about the underlying factors that led to such a tragic end.
