Found Deceased Greece - Dr. Suzanne Eaton, 60, American, gone for a run, Crete, 2 Jul 2019 *ARREST*

[afitzy]

There is a very odd article in the Daily Mail that claims LE is looking at possible Neo-Nazi symathizers in this crime. They claim there are many on the island. But they dont really give an explanation as to why she would have been a victim other than she was found in an old bunker. I think it’s absurd, but see what you mak of it

Police hunting American biologist's killer are focusing on neo-Nazi sympathizers | Daily Mail Online

Yes, others in the media are also jumping on this theme. I saw a few similar articles (German and Israel outlets) and decided not to post them here as we have heard nothing from Greek officials to suggest this angle of inquiry IMO. Will wait to see what LE discovers in its interviews or announced a POI before jumping on this angle. MOO

 

[afitzy]

Let's not neglect the neo-Nazi connection. Check out the Jerusalem Post online or the Daily Beast website for more info. Several of the suspects have neo-Nazi backgrounds (Golden Dawn, in Greece). When the body was discovered, there were no obvious signs of sexual assault. Remember the ear.

What is your source that several of the suspects have neo nazi backgrounds? The press seems to have been dancing around these allegations and I haven't seen any comment along these lines from Greek Police but perhaps I missed them. The articles in the Israeli press were vague on the topic as well which is why I didn't post the articles. MOO

 

[whitelilac]

At this point, I'm not really seeing this neo nazi angle. What would they gain from assaulting and killing a lone 60 year old woman jogging along the road? The bunker thing imo has no connection. The bunker was a good place to hide her. I'm still thinking this was an opportunistic assault by a local psycho. He may have come across as charming and helpful and offered her a ride, which she may have (or not) accepted. It was hot and she was tired without water.

 

[Elainera]

I wonder how much traffic was at Afrata Beach that day?

That reminds me, wasn't there a rumour/speculation before she was found that was seen at the beach, or might have gone to the beach? Maybe someone did see her in the vicinity of Afrata Beach (not necessarily on the beach in swimsuit etc but on the road next to it) and that's how this rumor was started? Just my speculation of course.

 

[Elainera]

I don't see any connection. She's born in the USA, works in Germany, researches biology. She was stabbed and there are reports that her death was not quick. Serial murderers do that. There is no information about sexual assault, as those tests take more time.

Well I wouldn't completely dismiss it. She worked in Germany and was fluent in the language. Her husband is from Israel. She was found in a former Nazi bunker. I personally don't think there is a Nazi angle here but I think police would be foolish to not at least look at the possibility that Neo-Nazis were involved. jmo

 

[otto]

At this point, I'm not really seeing this neo nazi angle. What would they gain from assaulting and killing a lone 60 year old woman jogging along the road? The bunker thing imo has no connection. The bunker was a good place to hide her. I'm still thinking this was an opportunistic assault by a local psycho. He may have come across as charming and helpful and offered her a ride, which she may have (or not) accepted. It was hot and she was tired without water.

BBM
I agree. I think that she was dropped 40 feet into a cave because the murderer wanted to hide the body where it would not be found. I think that he chose this location because he is local and knows about the secret entrance, not because there's some symbolic connection between neonazis and biologists.

I do not think this murderer asked Suzanne if she wanted a ride. I think murderers are much more abrupt. They have a plan, and they are determined. If they stop to have a conversation, the victim might use her taiknondo.

 

[Handsome Sailor]

What is your source that several of the suspects have neo nazi backgrounds? The press seems to have been dancing around these allegations and I haven't seen any comment along these lines from Greek Police but perhaps I missed them. The articles in the Israeli press were vague on the topic as well which is why I didn't post the articles. MOO

The Daily Beast. Their reporters have sources in the investigation. The Nazi bunkers in this particular area are not well known, even to locals, but they are popular with Nazi relic hunters, and Neo-nazis. Look, I don't want to regurgitate the article, just read it for yourself, and you will certainly be questioning your assumptions.

 

[Elainera]

We have not heard yet whether she was sexually assaulted or not. We have heard that she was found clothed so it's quite possible SA was not the motive. But then, what motive would there be? Can you guys think of cases of abduction and murder of a female by a stranger that were not sexually motivated? If yes, what was the motive there?

 

[otto]

That reminds me, wasn't there a rumour/speculation before she was found that was seen at the beach, or might have gone to the beach? Maybe someone did see her in the vicinity of Afrata Beach (not necessarily on the beach in swimsuit etc but on the road next to it) and that's how this rumor was started? Just my speculation of course.

I'm not sure, but I was looking at the run / walk to Afrata beach. Did she run to Afrata, or did she run partway and then walk along the shore? Is that where she saw an 85 year old and a fisherman?

Having a closer look at the shoreline between Afrata Beach and the Orthodox Church road. If she was seen by an 85 year old man and a fisherman, maybe she walked along the shoreline, and maybe they last saw her when she returned to the road at the bridge to jog back to the Orthodox Academy.

Where she would have emerged if she was walking the shoreline - bridge and church.

Source: Google Maps

 

[otto]

The Daily Beast. Their reporters have sources in the investigation. The Nazi bunkers in this particular area are not well known, even to locals, but they are popular with Nazi relic hunters, and Neo-nazis. Look, I don't want to regurgitate the article, just read it for yourself, and you will certainly be questioning your assumptions.

It's possible that the person who murdered Suzanne is a nazi sympathizer. That does not mean that her murder is related to nazism.

 

[whitelilac]

We have not heard yet whether she was sexually assaulted or not. We have heard that she was found clothed so it's quite possible SA was not the motive. But then, what motive would there be? Can you guys think of cases of abduction and murder of a female by a stranger that were not sexually motivated? If yes, what was the motive there?

Could it be possible that the motive was sexual assault, but that she fought so fiercely that the perp was taken aback, not expecting that, and he killed her in the process?

 

[glassheater]

If a Nazi sympathizer committed this as a hate crime for her potentially having Jewish ties, I believe they would of left clues as to her location and wanted her found to make a point. I’m more inclined the perp DID NOT want her found and therefor left her in an obscure, relatively unknown cave.

 

[indicolite22]

The "bridge" and Orthodox Church seems more like 1.5 - 2 mile mark on the road. Total distance is 3 miles. Looks like a half or a bit more to me. Thoughts?

View attachment 193346

View attachment 193347

Source: Google Maps and Streetview

At 1:33 in the video at the link below, a person (police?) is seen checking out the roadside near a white and blue mini church (memorial). There's also a bench nearby. The location is north of the "bridge". Not sure if the footage is only symbolic or that could be a point of interest.

Χανιά: Εξελίξεις στη δολοφονία της βιολόγου-Μαρτυρικό ήταν το τέλος της | Star.gr

 

[glassheater]

Could it be possible that the motive was sexual assault, but that she fought so fiercely that the perp was taken aback, not expecting that, and he killed her in the process?

This has crossed my mind as well. He may of covered her face to prevent her from screaming and suffocated her in the process. ( I feel terrible typing this out)

 

[CityDancer]

I still have doubts though that is where the gardener saw her. There is literally nothing else there. Not sure why an elderly gardener would be walking in the middle of the day in that terrain so far from his home. I noticed we can't see all of Afrata in street view. There must be something closer that we haven't seen or things got lost in translation.

Like I posted yesterday, his home wouldn't have to be in Afrata.
"The elderly man who reported seeing her near the bridge can't have walked there all the way from Afrata. Perhaps he lives in an isolated house near the bridge or maybe he drove there and stopped at what seems to be a popular spot for cars to stop. Maybe he wanted to walk a short distance or admire the view. A bit further down at 3:26 there's a fork in the road, to the left towards Kolymbari and the Academy and to the right back up towards the hills. She must have been abducted somewhere between the abrupt road turn at 2:56 (out of the old man's field of view) and 3:26. My guess would be that the perp likely exited right at the fork (less traffic), possibly towards his house or farm, to wait until nightfall when he could dispose of the body. The perp likely drove past them, unless he was for some reason already parked at the fork (only spot at that stretch of the road with enough space for a car to stop)".

 

[Handsome Sailor]

We have not heard yet whether she was sexually assaulted or not. We have heard that she was found clothed so it's quite possible SA was not the motive. But then, what motive would there be? Can you guys think of cases of abduction and murder of a female by a stranger that were not sexually motivated? If yes, what was the motive there?

You're on to something here. Prior to reading the Daily Beast article, I assumed sexual assault was the motive. But the Police do not confirm this motive, in fact they stated that the corpse had no obvious signs of SA. The only connection to DNA which I've read about is the DNA under the victim's fingernails from fighting her assailants, and no other areas.

 

[otto]

We have not heard yet whether she was sexually assaulted or not. We have heard that she was found clothed so it's quite possible SA was not the motive. But then, what motive would there be? Can you guys think of cases of abduction and murder of a female by a stranger that were not sexually motivated? If yes, what was the motive there?

... no information about sexual assault at this time.

She was found wearing her clothing and possibly burlap on her head. We've heard that an ear was cut off, numerous stab wounds, she did not die quickly, and when she did it was suffocation with a hand over her nose and mouth. Who knows what else she was subjected to. It sounds like the murderer covered her head after she was murdered, since he would need access to her nose and mouth to murder her. If she was abducted at 4:30 or 5:30PM, she was with the murderer for at least 3 hours if her body was dropped after dark (8:30PM+).

Abduction of females is typically sexually motivated. Suzanne could easily pass for younger than 59 years old, although some serial murderers don't have an age preference (children to seniors; Dennis Raider).

 

[glassheater]

... no information about sexual assault at this time.

She was found wearing her clothing and possibly burlap on her head. We've heard that an ear was cut off, numerous stab wounds, she did not die quickly, and when she did it was suffocation with a hand over her nose and mouth. Who knows what else she was subjected to. It sounds like the murderer covered her head after she was murdered, since he would need access to her nose and mouth to murder her. If she was abducted at 4:30 or 5:30PM, she was with the murderer for at least 3 hours if her body was dropped after dark (8:30PM+).

Abduction of females is typically sexually motivated. Suzanne could easily pass for younger than 59 years old, although some serial murderers don't have an age preference (children to seniors; Dennis Raider).

Just for my knowledge - How are they able to tell if someone died quickly or not?

 

[afitzy]

You're on to something here. Prior to reading the Daily Beast article, I assumed sexual assault was the motive. But the Police do not confirm this motive, in fact they stated that the corpse had no obvious signs of SA. The only connection to DNA which I've read about is the DNA under the victim's fingernails from fighting her assailants, and no other areas.

I believe we also know the body was covered with burlap. I was trying to figure out if this was a translation issue or was it really burlap?

Could she have been placed in a burlap bag of some sort for transportation purposes? I am trying to figure out if perhaps an agricultural operation might use burlap bags of some sort to move produce but the land looks so arid that this possiblity seems remote but maybe others on here might know. Others on here have spoken about olives but I would think they would be transported in barrels. What agricultural uses might burlap bags have in the local economy?

 

[CityDancer]

Well I wouldn't completely dismiss it. She worked in Germany and was fluent in the language. Her husband is from Israel. She was found in a former Nazi bunker. I personally don't think there is a Nazi angle here but I think police would be foolish to not at least look at the possibility that Neo-Nazis were involved. jmo

IMHO this line of argumentation is missing the point. To an onlooker she is just a white middle-aged woman with a "bland" appearance, jogging. Her links to Germany would only be known to very few, mostly her colleagues at the conference and the Academy. If it was a politically motivated attack then the first thing they'd do would be to leave pamphlets with a manifesto or call a newspaper and give their identity and their cause, or something. This is an attack by a solitary perp or couple of perps, I don't care how newspapers from Israel or other countries may be twisting the story to fit into their own agenda. Jews are never attacked here in Greece. During the War, Crete exhibited fierce and relentless anti-Nazi resistance. Look up "Cretan resistance".