Swiss authorities have formally charged the husband of former Miss Switzerland finalist Kristina Joksimovic with her murder, months after her dismembered remains were found in the couple’s home earlier this year. The 38-year-old model and trainer, who was crowned Miss Northwestern Switzerland and a Miss Switzerland finalist in 2007, was found dead in February 2024 at her residence in Binningen.
Prosecutors said her husband, identified only as Thomas, 43, under Swiss privacy laws, is accused of strangling Joksimovic before dismembering her body and trying to dispose of the remains in their home. According to autopsy findings and court documents, the accused allegedly used tools including a jigsaw and pruning shears. The body parts were later processed using an industrial blender, and investigators said some of the remains were “cleaned up” and dissolved in a chemical mixture called New York Post reported.
Police later found the blender along with skin tissue and bone fragments, he said The Telegraph. Court records also state that Thomas was watching YouTube videos on his phone while dismembering the body.
The medical examiner found extensive injuries, including broken hip joints, severed limbs, a broken spine and a beheaded head. The only organ missing was the uterus, investigators said.
Joksimovic’s remains were first discovered by her father, who reportedly noticed strands of blonde hair sticking out of a black laundry bag, a friend told The New York Post.
Thomas initially told police he found his wife dead, but later confessed to killing her, claiming he was acting in self-defense after she allegedly attacked him with a knife. However, forensic experts found no evidence to support this version and concluded that she died of strangulation.
Court documents describe that the defendant demonstrated “a remarkably high level of criminal energy, lack of empathy and cold-bloodedness after killing his wife.” Authorities said the couple had two daughters. Thomas has remained in custody since his arrest.
The public prosecutor’s office of Basel-Landschaft confirmed that he is now charged with murder and disturbing public order. The exam date has not been announced yet.
Joksimovic moved on to a successful modeling career after her stint in the pageant and trained several big names, including Dominique Rinderknecht before Miss Universe 2013.
