A father-of-two has spoken of his 'absolutely unforgivable' actions after being accused of murdering his wife and pureeing her remains as a grim court case continues in Switzerland.
Marc Rieben, 43, is accused of killing his wife, the former beauty queen Kristina Joksimovic after her father found her dismembered head in horrific circumstances back in 2024.
The family had first become concerned when she didn't come to kindergarten to pick up her children, who are now aged five and six, with Rieben reportedly claiming not to know her whereabouts during a family dinner.
However, the father of the 38-year-old then spotted her hair in a bin bag, before making the gruesome discovery which has led to nearly two years of investigations and court cases.
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After Joksimovic's family appeared in court for the first time today (4 May), Rieben addressed them with an emotional statement, claiming that he loved his wife with all his heart.
He said: "I have caused my family immeasurable suffering. Why? Why did I fail? Why couldn't I prevent it? Why couldn't I stop her from dying at my hands? I loved my wife with all my heart and believed in a future together.
"It haunts me day and night. What I did is absolutely unforgivable, and I take full responsibility. I deeply regret it, and I apologise."
Rieben is believed to have used garden tools to kill and dismember his wife before pureeing her remains in a blender, and he has been charged with murder and desecration of the dead.
After no defence witnesses were called, Rieben stepped forward and admitted that while he did grab his wife by the throat, her death was 'an accident'.
He also revealed that he had paid his two children and Kristina's parents a total of £94,218.
The added: "It would be wonderful if you could use it to do something that brings some lightness into your lives."
Considering proceedings have been going on for two years, the court queried why this monetary offer has only just been made now.
The husband responded: "Because this is the first opportunity I'll have to see the bereaved. This offer is made regardless of what the court decides. I simply want to show my support. It's a gesture.
"Human lives cannot be replaced; I can only offer my sympathy,' he continued.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to all those affected for their suffering. [Kristina] is gone. Her cool zest for life, her radiant smile – simply gone. The world has collapsed."
The pair were married in 2017 but had been attending couples counselling since 2018.
He recalled: "In this bar in 2016, we agreed that we would go through everything together. I told her it wouldn't be easy. But we agreed: 'We're going all in'."
Witnesses will include Kristina's close friends, with it expected that they will refer to Marc's 'violent temper' and the divorce discussions that were regular in the more recent years of their marriage.
Topics: Crime, True Crime, World News
James Moorhouse