A former beauty pageant contestant, Kristina Joksimovic, 38, was allegedly murdered by her husband in February 2024 in Binningen, Switzerland.
Kristina Joksimovic, once a finalist in the 2007 Miss Switzerland contest, was reportedly strangled by her husband, identified by Swiss media only as Thomas.
According to police reports, her body was then dismembered, with parts of her remains later found to have been pureed in a blender.
As per Swiss news outlets, such as 20min and Basellandschaftliche Zeitung (bzbasel), the brutal act occurred in the couple’s home, located in a suburban area near the Swiss city of Basel.
Initially, the circumstances surrounding her death were unclear. Thomas told authorities he found his wife dead at the bottom of the stairs and, in a state of panic, dismembered her body.
However, as reported by bzbasel, his story changed during a later court hearing in March 2024, when he confessed to having killed her.
The details that emerged in court added new information to the case. An autopsy revealed that Kristina had been strangled before her body was mutilated.
Her remains were chopped up using a jigsaw, knife, and garden shears, and some of her body parts were dissolved in a chemical solution after being pureed in a blender.
The contrast between Thomas’s initial claim of self-defence and the autopsy findings left investigators suspicious.
Forensic experts determined that the violence inflicted on Kristina was inconsistent with the husband’s earlier account, and according to bzbasel, the brutal nature of the crime displayed what was described as “sadistic tendencies.”
Kristina Joksimovic was not only known for her appearance in beauty pageants but had also established herself as a catwalk coach in the years following her time in the spotlight.
She coached Miss Switzerland contestants, including Dominique Rinderknecht, for the Miss Universe competition 2013 and built a successful business training program for women on professional presentation.
According to an earlier profile by 20min, she had a deep passion for documentaries, reading, and foot volleyball.
Kristina’s personal life seemed picture-perfect from the outside. She and her husband had married in 2017 and had two daughters together, who are now being cared for by authorities.
The family lived in a luxurious home with panoramic views of Basel, and their social media presence painted the image of an idyllic, happy family. However, close friends of the couple revealed that the marriage had recently been troubled.
According to a source interviewed by Blick, the relationship had experienced significant strain leading up to the tragic event.
The details of Kristina’s murder were not entirely isolated, as the court revealed a history of violence in the marriage.
Investigations suggested that Thomas had exhibited aggressive behaviour towards his wife on multiple occasions, as well as towards a previous partner.
The Federal Court, which rejected Thomas’s appeal for release from custody, noted “extreme criminal energy” in his actions, adding that he showed “no remorse” following his wife’s death.
As per local media, Thomas’s behaviour was indicative of deeper psychological issues, with court documents alluding to signs of a possible mental illness.
Despite his claims of self-defence, the Federal Court ruling highlighted that his actions following the murder—dismembering the body and attempting to dissolve the remains—suggested cold-blooded calculation rather than an act of panic.
The couple’s two daughters, now left without their mother, are being looked after by authorities.
The Basel-Landschaft public prosecutor’s office has requested that the media exercise caution when reporting on the case to protect the children’s privacy and well-being.
Thomas hasn’t been formally charged yet. Nevertheless, he is currently being held in custody awaiting trial.
The public prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and further details about the case and the motives behind the crime may emerge as the trial progresses.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, resources are available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or via their website, thehotline.org, where assistance is provided in over 170 languages.
