Swiss vet gets 14 years for murdering his wife

After a high publicity trial, a Swiss vet, Gabor Bilkei (pictured centre), has been jailed for 14 years for murdering his wife. Her body was never found.

After a high publicity trial, a Swiss vet, Gabor Bilkei (pictured centre), has been jailed for 14 years for murdering his wife. Her body was never found.

Bilkei, who originally came from Hungary, was accused of killing his wife, Heike, in April 1996. He denied the murder charge.

The trial relied largely on circumstantial evidence. The place, time and cause of death was never fully established.

Evidence presented at the trial suggested Bilkei’s wife had left him. He told the court she might have had contacts with the Russian mafia and been murdered by them.

Bilkei was found guilty of premeditated murder in December, and sentencing was delayed while the prosecution amended its charges.

From staff and wire reports