Latest news with #DanielaVergulis
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Man accused of shocking crimes against his wife and daughter dies in prison before the trial
A man due to stand trial for allegedly shooting his wife dead and wounding their daughter has died in prison. In July 2023, Vasilis Vergulis was accused of gunning down his 51-year-old wife Aleksandra and daughter Daniela, aged 22 at the time, in Campbelltown, Adelaide. He pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder, and causing serious harm in January 2024 and was ordered to stand trial, The Courier Mail reported. But before he made it to trial, a Department for Correctional Services spokeswoman said on Friday that a prisoner had been 'found unresponsive' at Port Augusta Prison. 'SA Ambulance Service arrived just before noon and pronounced the individual deceased,' she said. 'The Office for Correctional Services Review has been notified and will liaise with SA Police. 'All deaths in custody are subject to a coronial investigation.' Vergulis is survived by Daniela, who recovered from her injuries and now works as a legal secretary in the Crown Solicitors' capital office. The mother and daughter reportedly visited Vergulis regularly to check on him at his home in Campbelltown and were understood to have brought him groceries on July 15, 2023, the day of the incident. Police rushed to the house around 1.30pm, on the day of the shootings, where they found Aleksandra dead at the front of the property. Prosecutors alleged that Vergulis fatally shot his wife in the driveway before seriously injuring Daniela, who was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital. Vergulis then allegedly barricaded himself inside the house as dozens of specialist officers swarmed the street. He surrendered to police at around 5pm and was taken to the City Watch House where he was charged. Ms Vergulis was an executive assistant for UniSA Education Futures, at the University of South Australia, where she was employed for almost 12 years. Her daughter graduated from the same university just three months before the incident. 'I am so proud to announce that I have graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Laws (Second class Honours) and Bachelor of Psychology,' Daniela said on LinkedIn. Her mother, who affectionately called her daughter Dana, added a joyful comment, sharing her pride. 'Well Done Dana! I am so proud of you, sweetheart,' she said. 'I bless you with all that you need to earn many more achievements and feasts in life ahead and I'll always be there to support you.' Neighbours described Ms Vergulis as a 'lovely woman' and said they were shocked by the tragedy.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Man accused of murdering his wife and seriously harming his daughter dies in Port Augusta Prison
A South Australian man accused of murdering his wife and attempting to murder his daughter has died in prison. Vasilis Vergulis was due to appear in court next week over the alleged shooting of his wife and daughter at their Campbelltown home in July, 2023. His wife, 51-year-old Aleksandra Vergulis, died at the scene, while his daughter, 22-year-old Daniela Vergulis sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital. Mr Vergulis had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges against him including murder, attempted murder and causing serious harm. The Department for Correctional Services confirmed in a statement on Friday that a prisoner was found unresponsive in the Port Augusta Prison on Wednesday before paramedics declared him dead. The statement said the Office for Correctional Services Review had been notified and will liaise with SA Police. The death has not been deemed suspicious and will now be subject to a coronial investigation.
