Melbourne funeral director Peter Tziotzis has begun a defamation trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria, claiming that media reports by A Current Affair and The Age falsely portrayed him as unprofessional and dishonest, causing lasting damage to his reputation and business.
The reports followed the exhumation of Helen Moraitis, whose mother, Teresa Moraitis, claimed her daughter was found undressed, decomposed, and missing jewellery after being buried by Tziotzis’ funeral service in August 2022. In the programme, she described him as “an evil snake.”
Tziotzis strongly denies the allegations.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Tziotzis’ legal team maintains that the body arrived at his parlour already unclothed and severely decomposed, and that he had no knowledge of any jewellery being included in the clothing bag. He claims the casket was kept closed for health reasons, not to conceal negligence.
“They accused me of foul play and of unprofessionalism. I was disgusted… They destroyed the family,” he told the court, breaking down in tears.
Tziotzis, who has worked in the funeral industry for nearly two decades, says he had an excellent reputation prior to the media coverage. He also claims the programme used interviews with rival funeral operators, raising concerns about fairness and impartiality.
The trial is ongoing.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
