In February 2024, Switzerland was shaken by the brutal murder of Kristina Joksimović, a former Miss Switzerland finalist, by her husband, Thomas Joksimović. The horrifying crime took place in their home in Binningen, near Basel. Kristina’s cause of death was determined to be strangulation. Following the murder, Thomas dismembered her body using a jigsaw, knife, and garden shears. In an even more grotesque twist, he pureed parts of her remains in a blender and subsequently dissolved them in a chemical solution.
The discovery of Kristina's mutilated body on February 13 marked the beginning of a chilling investigation. Thomas was arrested the following day. Initially, he claimed that the murder was an act of self-defense, asserting that Kristina had attacked him with a knife. However, forensic evidence quickly refuted this claim. The post-mortem examination revealed that Kristina had been strangled, with no evidence of a knife attack or struggle that would support Thomas's self-defense narrative.
Thomas Joksimović’s behavior during the investigation painted a disturbing picture. He was described as lacking empathy and exhibiting cold-blooded calculation in his actions. This demeanor, coupled with the brutal nature of the crime, deeply shocked the community. Adding to the horror, a former partner of Thomas came forward with allegations of past abuse. She recounted an incident where Thomas had violently attacked her, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her against a wall.
Thomas showed “a noticeably high level of criminal energy, lack of empathy and cold-bloodedness after killing his wife” and trying to cover it up.
Prosecutors
Kristina Joksimović, who was once a celebrated figure in Swiss beauty pageantry, held the title of Miss Northwest Switzerland and was a finalist in the Miss Switzerland competition in 2007. She transitioned from pageantry to a successful career as a business owner and catwalk coach. Notably, she mentored Dominique Rinderknecht for the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, showcasing her influence and success in the field.
The tragic news of Kristina’s death elicited deep sorrow from various quarters. Former Miss Switzerland, Christa Rigozzi, expressed her heartfelt condolences, particularly highlighting the devastating impact on Kristina’s daughters. The Joksimović family had portrayed an idealized life on social media, with recent posts showing images from a romantic getaway to Lake Lucerne just a week before the tragedy. The stark contrast between this public facade and the horrific reality of Kristina's death has left many grappling with the unsettling truth behind the family's seemingly perfect image.
Reference:
1. Reilly, P. (2024, September 11). Miss Switzerland finalist was strangled, then “pureed” in a blender by her husband: officials. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/09/11/world-news/miss-switzerland-finalist-strangled-to-death-then-pureed-in-a-blender-by-her-husband-kristina-joksimovic/
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
