November 7th 2024.
Today, Joe Lo Bianco, a man who brutally murdered his wife, Kaliopi Roumeliotis, was sentenced to 24 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 18 years and six months. This sentence was handed down by the Supreme Court of Victoria, where Lo Bianco appeared today.
The incident took place on November 30, 2022, when Roumeliotis had just arrived home and was getting out of her car in their garage. Lo Bianco, who had been lying in wait, attacked her with a metal car ramp, striking her repeatedly in the head and neck. He then left her body on the garage floor, making it seem like an accident, and hid his bloodied clothes.
After committing this heinous act, Lo Bianco went next door to chat with his in-laws for almost an hour, while waiting for his daughter to be dropped off from a friend's birthday party. When his daughter, who is referred to as "Sally" in court, arrived, she asked about her mother and suggested checking the garage. Lo Bianco then instructed her to go inside and see if her mother was there.
To Sally's horror, she found her mother's lifeless body, covered in blood. She immediately ran next door to her uncle and aunt for help, while Lo Bianco called emergency services. Sadly, paramedics confirmed that Roumeliotis was already dead.
During the sentencing, Justice Amanda Fox stated that no punishment could ever make up for the loss of Roumeliotis' "priceless" life. She described her as a beloved person who is deeply missed by all who knew her.
Justice Fox also highlighted the aggravating factor of Lo Bianco leading his daughter to the site of her mother's body. She also mentioned that the couple had been experiencing financial tension and arguments, due to Lo Bianco's refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
Just days before her death, Roumeliotis had confided in a friend about her frustration and feeling overwhelmed. This adds to the tragic nature of this senseless murder.
Initially, Lo Bianco had tried to deceive the police by claiming that his wife had tripped and fallen, and he had no involvement in her death as he was in the backyard cleaning a rabbit enclosure. However, he later confessed to the murder and pleaded guilty in court.
In her final remarks, Justice Fox urged anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence to seek help from organizations such as 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline.
As we await the results of the presidential election, let us not forget the harrowing story of Kaliopi Roumeliotis, a victim of domestic violence. Let us also remember her daughter, who will have to live with the traumatic memory of discovering her mother's body. In the meantime, we can stay informed about the latest news by downloading the 9News app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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