Cyprus serial killer: Divers pull third suitcase containing human remains from toxic lake

Police say Nikos Metaxas confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls

Divers have found a suitcase containing decomposing human remains in a toxic lake in Cyprus.

It was the third suitcase to be discovered in the lake in the ongoing investigation into what is thought to be the Mediterranean island’s first serial killer.

Andreas Angelides, a Cyprus police spokesman, said the discovery is a “major development” in the case of Cypriot army captain Nikos Metaxas, who police said has confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls.

Mr Angelides said coroners examined the latest discovery at the scene and more specialised tests will be carried out to determine the person’s identity.

“We proceeded with our search keeping two key factors in mind, the degree of difficulty and the level of danger involved,” he added.

Metaxas, 35, allegedly told investigators he disposed of the bodies of a Philipino woman and a Romanian mother and daughter in the lake after placing their bodies in suitcases.

The latest body is believed to belong to Maricar Valtez Arquiola, a 31-year-old woman from the Philippines.

The murders came to light on 14 April, when the bound body of 38-year-old Mary Rose Tiburico, from the Philippines, was discovered down a flooded mine shaft near the toxic lake, which was part of what is now a disused copper mine.

An investigation into the captain’s online communication with the victim led to his arrest.

A second woman’s body, believed to be 28-year-old Arian Palanas Lozano, also from the Philippines, was found in the mineshaft a few days later.

Investigators said Metaxas confessed to the killings in a 10-page, handwritten note.

He allegedly led them to where he had disposed of the bodies, including a dry well in a military firing range where the remains of who is thought to be Ashita Khadka Bistra, from Nepal, were found.

The case sent shockwaves around the island and put the spotlight on police failings in investigating missing persons’ cases.

It also led to the resignation of the country’s justice minister and the firing of its police chief.

Officials said some killings may have been prevented if “negligent” officers had properly investigated the first missing person’s reports.

The search for the body of Tiburcio’s six-year-old daughter in another lake continues.

Additional reporting by Associated Press