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| Alba Cenko is wearing a short-sleeved pink blouse, a blue lanyard with an ID badge hanging around her neck, and a blue backpack on her shoulders. |
A harrowing incident unfolded in Athens last week, where Alba Cenko, an Albanian woman, was brutally murdered by her husband, Kastriot Cenko. The tragedy left behind two young children, aged 9 and 12, and sparked serious questions about domestic violence and its prevention.
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| Alba Cenko wearing a red sweatshirt, yellow scarf with black shades, on a winter day with snow behind her |
The Incident
The shocking event took place on a Thursday while the couple’s children were at school. The 39-year-old Kastriot Cenko killed his wife by striking her with a hammer and strangling her. In a horrifying twist, he kept Alba’s lifeless body hidden in the attic of their home for an entire week before finally contacting the police to confess his crime.
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| The author of the murder of his wife Kastriot Cenko |
According to Greek media reports, Kastriot admitted to killing his wife out of jealousy. During the week following the murder, he used Alba’s phone to send deceptive messages to her sister and children, pretending to be her.
The Chilling Deception
Messages uncovered by Greek media outlet Protothema revealed Kastriot’s attempts to fabricate a story about Alba’s disappearance. Posing as his deceased wife, he wrote to their children, claiming she had left the family and moved to the city of Patras.
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| The messages that Kastriot Cenko sends to his children pretending to be the mother, Alba Cenko, adapted from the Greek media |
One message to the children read:
“Kids, mommy has left. I’m in Patras and won’t come back home. Take care of your brother and listen to your dad. When I save enough money and fix the paperwork, I’ll come to take you both with me. For now, I’m going far away. Don’t worry about me; I’ll call when I can.”
To Alba’s sister, Kastriot wrote:
“I’ve left with someone I’m living with now. Don’t report it to the police because it will cause me trouble.”
He also deceived the family members of his deceased wife:
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| Kastriot Cenko's messages that he sends to Alba's family members, pretending to be Alba himself |
In the messages, he communicates through Alba’s sister, who asks him to speak on the phone or else she will report the disappearance to the police. However, pretending to be Alba, he writes back, asking her not to report it, as it would cause trouble for him.
The motive for the murder, according to the confession made by Kastrioti himself, is because of jealousy, because Alba was cheating on him with his close friend.
Impact on the Children
The tragic murder has devastated the family, leaving the two young children without their mother. The false messages, meant to manipulate their perception of their mother’s disappearance, added another layer of emotional trauma to an already heartbreaking situation.
A Call for Awareness and Action
This tragic case underscores the urgent need to address domestic violence, not only in Greece but worldwide. It is a grim reminder of the hidden suffering many victims endure and the devastating consequences of inaction.
Authorities must continue to investigate and ensure justice for Alba Cenko, while her children and family need the support and resources to heal from this unimaginable loss.
Domestic violence is a silent epidemic that demands collective action to protect those most vulnerable and prevent such tragedies in the future.