A man charged with murdering his wife in 2024 will spend the rest of his life in prison. Fifty-three-year-old Antonios Pete Kostopoulos was sentenced in Bartow Superior Court on Tuesday for the murder of his 42-year-old wife, Karina Moreno.
On April 28, 2026, a local jury found Kostopoulos guilty of two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery.
On Sunday, October 6, 2024, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and investigators were dispatched to 129 Chastain Drive, Cartersville, in reference to a welfare check and possible domestic dispute, which was later determined to be a homicide. Kostopoulos repeatedly stabbed her and struck her with items from the kitchen. Following her death, he remained in the home, ordered takeout, and walked the dog.
He wrote apology letters to family members, blaming testosterone replacement therapy for his actions. He also called one of his sons, who in turn contacted law enforcement for a welfare check. Investigators discovered Moreno’s body wrapped in a rug on the living room floor.
Mareno had informed Kostopolus of her intentions to move back to her family in Salem, Massachusetts.
It took the jury less than three hours to find Kostopoulos guilty of the crimes.