Melbourne funeral director, Peter Tziotzis, has denied stealing jewellery and clothing from a dead woman in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Tziotzis, who is the director of Orthodox Funeral Services, issued the statement after A Current Affairs (ACA) reported in November that he had allegedly stolen clothing and jewellery from the body of Teresa Moraitis’ daughter, Helen.
Ms Moraitis had hired Mr Tziotzis to perform a traditional Greek open-casket service for her daughter in August this year.
According to ACA, Ms Moraitis became suspicious at Helen’s funeral after Mr Tziotzis allegedly told the family her coffin had to remain closed.
Ms Moraitis made the decision to exhume her daughter’s body and ACA reported that Helen’s naked remains were found bundled in a blue body bag, her arm twisted behind her head. Thousands of dollars of gold jewellery and clothing was also reportedly missing.
In response, Mr Tziotzis has denied all allegations against him on Thursday and said that ACA’s version of events “is incorrect and without factual basis.”
“I did not steal any jewellery or clothing, I did not fail to prepare Ms Moraitis’ daughter’s body for the funeral and burial and I was not dishonest in anyway in my dealings with Ms Moraitis,” the funeral director’s statement reads.
“I also have not been charged with any criminal offence by Victoria Police.”
Mr Tziotzis added that he was “unreasonably cornered by A Current Affair at 7 Eleven and the program did not give me the opportunity to tell my side of the story.”
“For this reason, and because of the severe impact the segment has had on me, my family and my business, I have engaged legal representation and have commenced steps towards issuing legal proceedings against the media organisation and journalists responsible,” he said.
The funeral director concluded that he will “remain committed to serving the needs of my loyal customers during their times of grief and loss.”
