Miss Switzerland finalist killed by husband, then 'pureed' in blender
Kristina Joksimovic, a 38-year-old former Miss Switzerland finalist, was found dead in Binningen, near Basel, Switzerland in February. Her husband, identified as only "Thomas" by local media, allegedly strangled and dismembered her with a jigsaw and garden shears before pureeing her remains in a blender. Thomas confessed to the murder and claimed self-defense after Kristina supposedly attacked him with a knife.
Husband's appeal for release denied
Thomas, 41, had his appeal for release from custody denied by the Federal Court in Lausanne after confessing to Kristina's murder. The investigation concluded with clear signs of mental illness involved in the case. Thomas allegedly dismembered his wife "in a state of panic" after killing her. The couple shared two children together.
Autopsy reveals gruesome details of Kristina's death
An autopsy revealed that Kristina was strangled before her death, a fact confirmed by Thomas in his confession. Her body was dismembered in the laundry room using a jigsaw, knife, and garden shears. Local media outlet Blick reported that parts of her body were later chopped up with a hand blender, "pureed," and dissolved in a chemical solution. A forensic report contradicted Thomas's claim of self-defense.
Friends shocked by tragic death of Kristina
Friends of the couple were stunned by the news, with one telling Blick, "To me, they seemed like the perfect family." The couple lived in a spacious semi-detached house in an affluent area of Basel. However, another friend noted that their relationship had been in crisis for months, with previous police interventions following reports of physical violence. Just weeks before her death, Kristina had shared photos from a "couple's getaway" on Instagram.
Kristina Joksimovic: A life of beauty and inspiration
Kristina, a native of Binningen with Serbian heritage, transitioned from modeling to become a catwalk coach. She trained Miss Switzerland hopefuls and helped businesswomen improve their confidence in personal and professional settings. In 2003, she won the Miss Northwest Switzerland title and was a finalist in the 2008 Miss Switzerland competition. She also launched a coaching agency for aspiring models while continuing her career in IT recruitment.
Swiss celebrities mourn Kristina's death
Kristina's tragic death deeply shocked many Swiss celebrities and former Miss Switzerland contestants. Lorena Santen, crowned Miss Switzerland in 2023 and one of Kristina's students, expressed her sorrow by saying, "We will miss you so much." Former Miss Switzerland Christa Rigozzi shared her grief with 20 Minuten, saying, "It's terrible. I'm really shocked. I'm thinking of her two daughters." Swiss actor Miriam Rickli also expressed shock at the news of Kristina's death.
