Greek coroner says dead woman believed to be American scientist was victim of 'criminal act'
The body of a woman believed to be Suzanne Eaton is found on the Greek island of Crete in an abandoned World War II bunker; Greg Palkot reports.
Police on the Greek island of Crete reportedly detained a man Monday in connection with the killing of an American scientist found dead this month in an abandoned bunker used by the Nazis during World War II.
The 27-year-old man held Monday was one of 10 people interviewed during the weekend as part of the investigation into Suzanne Eaton's slaying, officials said.
Eaton, a 59-year-old molecular biologist at the Max Planck Institute in Dresden, Germany was last seen July 2 near the port of the Crete city of Chania.
US SCIENTIST WAS SUFFOCATED IN GREECE, BODY FOUND COVERED WITH BURLAP IN NAZI-ERA BUNKER
Police found her body last week in a man-made cave that had been used as a bunker during the Nazi occupation of Crete. The cave is located about six miles from where Eaton was last seen. She had been suffocated and the coroner ruled her death a "criminal act."
In this undated photo provided by her family, showing Suzanne Eaton, a 59-year-old molecular biologist. (AP Photo)
ABC News on Monday quoted a high-level police source as saying the suspect claimed he committed the murder and intentionally hit Eaton with his car.
BODY BELIEVED TO BE AMERICAN SCIENTIST DIED IN GREECE BY 'CRIMINAL ACT,' CORONER SAYS
The suspect, who was not immediately identified, is reported to be a local farmer, who is also the father of two children, according to the Greek Reporter.
The search for Eaton involved police and volunteers who staged a massive effort to find her.
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The European Molecular Biology Laboratory announced that flags would be flown at half-staff Monday in Eaton’s honor.
Fox News' Travis Fedschun contributed to this report.