Model wife of John Macris 'didn't know anything' about the former underworld figure's criminal past, friends say - as she 'goes into hiding with their two children' following his brutal murder

  • John Macris, 46, was shot dead outside his luxury villa in Greece on Wednesday
  • The former Sydney underworld figure is thought to have links to the Greek mafia
  • A friend has said his wife, reality star Viktoria Karida, had no idea about his past
  • Designer Yiannis Togas said Ms Karida was blinded by her love for Macris
  • Police are hunting the killer. Ms Karida has gone into hiding with their children

By Hannah Moore For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:42 EST, 4 November 2018 | Updated: 01:24 EST, 4 November 2018

Friends of Viktoria Karida, wife of John Macris, say she knew nothing about the former underworld figure's murky past 

Friends of Viktoria Karida, wife of John Macris, say she knew nothing about the former underworld figure's murky past 

The reality star wife of slain underworld figure John Macris has gone into hiding after only recently learning of her husband's criminal past, friends say. 

Viktoria Karida and John Macris were 'very in love', and neighbours say the 46-year-old's murder left the model screaming in the street.

Yiannis Togas, who designed Ms Karida's wedding dress, told the Sydney Morning Herald the couple were still deeply connected, and they and their two young children were 'very, very close'. 

Mr Togas says he does not believe the mother-of-two had any idea about her husband's criminal past because she lived in a 'cloud'.  

'Even if her husband had any sort of other job I don't believe she knew anything because she lived in her own world, she was in a cloud,' he said.

'That's what I believe because when you're in love you see everything in another way. In a beautiful way. I don't believe she knows anything.

'I'm very sad, it is a very difficult moment for her, she has two children - it's very difficult.'

Macris was shot dead late on Wednesday, when he was ambushed outside his seaside villa. The former inmate was shot multiple times in the chest, stomach and shoulder.

Macris, 46, was shot dead outside the family's luxury villa in Voula, Greece, on Wednesday (pictured)

Macris, 46, was shot dead outside the family's luxury villa in Voula, Greece, on Wednesday (pictured)

Ms Karida and Macris were married in an intimate ceremony in Mykonos in 2016, at the request of their two young children

Ms Karida and Macris were married in an intimate ceremony in Mykonos in 2016, at the request of their two young children

At the time of his death, Ms Karida was working at Greek Fashion Week, and was preparing to walk the runway for a third time that night when her friend, make up artist Prokopis Macrylakis, rushed backstage with the bad news. 

Looking anxious, the former playmate rushed out and headed home, and soon after, neighbours awoke to her screams filling the street.

Since that horrific night, Ms Karida and her two children, daughter Alexandra and son Achilles, have been in hiding, News.com.au reported.

Ms Karida has deleted her social media presence, and is reported to have gone underground following the brutal slaying.

The model, who has previously credited Macris as 'the man of her dreams', has no immediate family in Greece, though her in-laws are reportedly living in the country.

Macris and Ms Karida were married in a small ceremony in Mykonos in 2016, at the request of their offspring. 

'It was the most beautiful moment of my life,' she said afterwards.

'I am very happy to have met the man of my dreams. Our children wanted us to get married and it was a very cheerful day.'

Ms Karida had previously said she wanted to have a third child with Macris.

Ms Karida has reportedly gone into hiding, with her two kids, following the murder

Ms Karida has reportedly gone into hiding, with her two kids, following the murder

Macris had only just left his home when his killer approached his car and shot him through the passenger window before going to the driver's side to fire the final, fatal shot

Macris had only just left his home when his killer approached his car and shot him through the passenger window before going to the driver's side to fire the final, fatal shot

The 46-year-old Greek Australian was in his smart car outside his house, when he was shot at close range.

Police are investigating whether his murder is linked to other hits carried out by the Greek mafia, and plan to request Macris' criminal history in Australia through Interpol.

Footage taken by a security camera at Macris's luxury villa in Voula showed him being shot multiple times through his right passenger window, before the lone gunman went round to the driver's door and shot him again.

Witnesses to the brutal murder say they heard the gunman shout out: 'I'm going to finish him off', the Daily Telegraph reported, and the final, fatal shot was fired as Macris tried to exit the car.  

CCTV has been seized by police from the homes of Macris's neighbours as police struggle to find his killer.

The murderer, who can be seen with a baseball cap covering much of his face in the footage, has yet to be caught.

The Sydney gangster had been on his way to a reception to launch a company called 24/7 Security, part of his My Services enterprise.

Macris was a prominent figure in the underworld scene for years. He was a business partner of John Ibrahim, The Australian reported, and the pair owned a club on Oxford Street in Sydney together before their business relationship dissolved into a bitter feud.

There is no suggestion the Ibrahim family are in any way connected to the killing. 

Ms Karida has removed all of her social media accounts. Earlier, she had said she'd like to have a third child with Macris

Ms Karida has removed all of her social media accounts. Earlier, she had said she'd like to have a third child with Macris

Advertisement

Model wife of John Macris 'didn't know anything' about the former underworld figure's criminal past

Most watched News videos

Comments 0

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.