A body language expert has shared what she believes are the chilling tell-tale signs behind the behaviour of Babis Anagnostopoulos, who confessed to the murder of wife Caroline Crouch after claiming she was killed during a robbery.
Greek pilot Anagnostopoulos, 33, claimed his British wife had been killed by robbers who broke into their home in a suburb of Athens on 11 May.
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Crouch had been suffocated on a bed next to their 11-month-old daughter, who was not harmed.
Police said yesterday (17 June) that Anagnostopoulos has now confessed to the crime, several hours after being taken by helicopter to Athens from the island of Alonissos, where he was attending Crouch's funeral.
TV interviews showed an emotional Anagnostopoulos begging people for information, but a body language expert has now revealed there were a number of giveaways.
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Speaking to The Sun, Judi James said that as he spoke to press, he had 'promoted himself as the heroic avenger of his wife's death'.
As Anagnostopoulos divulged more information about what happened, James said he performed 'more eye cut-offs, looking down rather than straight ahead', which she believes is a typical tactic of concealment - or, in the case of genuine grief, a move to try and stop tears.
He was also seen blinking 'rapidly and quite intensely', which apparently is a hint to his impatience or anger.
James also points out that Anagnostopoulos chose not to fake tears, instead giving the impression that he simply wanted the culprits to be caught.
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She continued: "His ability and his apparent keenness to talk about the murder in front of an intimidating jostle of press might have seemed unfeasible, but it could also have been seen at the time as brave.
"He uses a head-baton gesture as he speaks to emphasise each sentiment.
"This metronomic trait looks urgent and adds a rhythm to his words or script which, again, adds to the impression of a man keen to help the police catch the villains."
James said Anagnostopoulos spoke at speed with no apparent change of tone as he recalled the supposed traumatic break-in, and at one point even shrugged his shoulders, insinuating a lack of care.
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In another telling sign, James said he made a 'tongue-poke' to suggest 'rejection or disgust' when the conversation moved onto the money he said was taken in the robbery.
The expert said that Anagnostopoulos displayed 'micro-grimaces that again suggest anger', adding: "He talks quickly and, apparently, fluidly and urgently as though keen to tell his story.
"There are very little signs of any confusion - like faltering or pausing in between words.
"It could have occurred naturally in a 'heroic, brave' state but it can also be easier to replicate than grief if there is a performance going on, as most people have experienced anger first-hand and so find replicating it easier."
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James also pointed out that Anagnostopoulos' emotionless interview may have been helped by his career as a helicopter pilot, which requires a calm demeanour.
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