Fifty-two-year-old Antonious Pete Kostopoulos appeared before Judge Samir Patel Tuesday for a bond hearing. Kostopoulos is charged with the murder of 42-year-old, Karina Moreno. His attorney, public defender, Jana Willingham asked Judge Patel for a reasonable bond. She said her client was employed as a respiratory therapist, owned a home, and had a limited criminal history. She said it was unlikely that he would commit another crime. Meanwhile, District Attorney, Erle Newton asked the judge to deny bond. Newton said Kostopoulos possibly used three instruments to murder Moreno; a pot, a knife, and a belt. Newtown said they were waiting on evidence from the crime lab. He said Kostopoulos called family members and said he would kill himself; Newton said they also found notes around the house stating as much. The family is concerned that if released he will harm himself. Newton also said that he was a flight risk. Kostopoulos lived in the area for only a short while, he has relatives in Colorado, Missouri, and Massachusetts. Kostopoulos also has a domestic violence charge from Illinois. He served 12 months of supervised probation in 2016. Judge Patel denied bond. He said the court would consider the evidence from the crime lab when it becomes available. He also wants Judge Green to consider bond because the case will be addressed in her courtroom.
According to a press release from the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday, October 6th, 2024, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies and Investigators were dispatched to 129 Chastain Drive about a welfare check/ possible domestic dispute which was later determined to be a homicide investigation.
Deputies initially attempted to contact the residents at the address, but forced entry was made into the residence after no response.
Kostopoulos was found inside the residence with suspected blood on his person and he was taken into custody without incident. Upon clearing the residence, Moreno’s body was found on the living room floor wrapped in a blanket.
Kostopoulos was taken to the Bartow County jail and charged with Murder – Family Violence, Aggravated Assault-Strangulation, Aggravated Assault. Aggravated Battery, False Imprisonment, Kidnapping, Concealing Death of Another, and Tampering with Evidence.
According to her obituary, Moreno was buried Friday in Salem, Massachusetts. The online obituary states that Moreno worked her entire career at Medtronic medical equipment manufacturer. She began in an entry-level position and was later promoted to Global Project Manager.