The stepmother of two boys found dead in Xylofagou has broken her silence, calling on the public to stop speculation and accusations against the family.
“Do not play with our pain. Do not say that the stepmother, the father, the grandmother or the grandfather are to blame. I wish that no one ever goes through something like this. Stop talking about things you do not know,” she said.
The 38-year-old, speaking for the first time since her release from custody, told Bulgarian outlet News24sofia.eu that she had been freed as no responsibility had been established against her. She described her arrest as part of the investigative process.
She added that the 30-year-old father remains in custody as the legal guardian of the children and must cooperate with authorities to complete the investigation and facilitate the repatriation of the bodies to Bulgaria.
The father has been charged with causing death by a reckless act in relation to both deaths, the Sovereign Base Areas Police confirmed on Thursday, following the conclusion of the remand period granted for further investigation. He has been remanded in custody until the trial date, set for 16 July.
Investigations by the British Bases authorities are ongoing, with officers examining video footage, witness statements and other evidence that may clarify the circumstances of the tragedy. Results from specialised tests are also pending to determine the exact cause of death.
The two brothers, aged eight and 10, were found dead on the afternoon of June 29 inside their father’s car in Xylofagou, after reportedly becoming trapped in the vehicle for hours in extreme heat.
