Four-year-old daughter of Miss Switzerland finalist 'murdered by husband' made chilling claim to police
The young daughter of a man accused of murdering his ex-beauty queen wife made a shocking claim to police.
Dad-of-two, Marc Rieben, 43, is standing trial for the murder of his wife, Kristina Joksimovic, and for allegedly desecrating her body.
The court heard how he dismembered her head, which her horrified father later found, after Rieben 'pureed' her remains in a blender after soaking them in bleach for hours.
Following her death, which he insists was accidental in self-defence, he took his two young children out for dinner and pretended that nothing had happened.
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A court expert has given Rieben a diagnosis of narcissistic traits and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
When his four-year-old daughter heard that Rieben had told police he didn't mean to kill his wife, the youngster couldn't contain her anger, according to the Daily Mail, and made a shocking claim.
The children were aged just two and four when their mother died, and the a representative for the little ones told the court what happened when they found out what had happened.
The court was told: "They learned a few days after the incident that their mother was in heaven and their father was in prison and wouldn't be returning anytime soon."
The representative added: "The children learned that their mother had died during an argument with their father, and also that the police assume their father is responsible for the death. And that he says he didn't do it on purpose."
Apparently, the eldest daughter, who is now six-years-old, told police "He's lying, he's lying, he's lying."
Upon further questioning, the little girl said: "He lied to me when he picked us up. He said he didn't know where Mummy was."
Professor Frank Urbaniok told the court that Rieben used 'almost meticulous precision' when planning and covering up the alleged killing.
Urbaniok said: "I have been working as an expert witness for 33 years and overseen 5,000 cases.
"I have seen many people who have committed homicides against intimate partners. But I have never seen anything like this before."
Rieben issued a statement in court: "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."
He later revealed he has made a payment to show his remorse, giving £94,218 to the youngsters as well as his wife's parents.
He said "It would be wonderful if you could use it to do something that brings some lightness into your lives."
The judge asked him why waited until now to make the payment, when the proceedings have been ongoing for years.
He replied it was because 'this is the first opportunity I'll have to see the bereaved'.
He continued: "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.
"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 lawyer for the children said: "Both parents placed the children at the centre of their lives, but they had different ideas of how to raise their daughters.
"The defendant wanted absolute control, the victim wanted to explain they were separating as simply as possible in a way that wouldn't break their hearts but now their hearts are breaking every day.
"Today the children know their father killed their mother and in the future they will learn more," she added, before finishing: "They miss their mother and are angry with their father, they are being looked after by their mother's parents and will need therapy for years to come."
The court case continues.
Topics: Crime, True Crime, World News
Jen Thomas