In a tragic case of family violence, a man named Leo Lo Bianco was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of his partner, Kaliopi Roumeliotis. The court heard that Lo Bianco’s daughter found her mother’s body in the garage after returning from school. In a victim impact statement read out by the girl’s uncle, she expressed the deep grief of losing her mother and the scars that would never heal from what her father had done. The couple had been together for 27 years and had met in 1995 through friends. During the pandemic, Lo Bianco’s refusal to be vaccinated led to financial strain and tension in the family home, as he was unable to continue working as a contractor for Australia Post.
Arthur Roumeliotis, Kaliopi’s brother, spoke about the immense grief he experienced in having to break the news to his elderly parents. His parents, who had immigrated from Greece in the ’70s and raised their children in a loving and caring way, were devastated by the loss of their daughter. Arthur described the impact on his parents as heartbreaking and explained that they were meant to have more time with Kaliopi, who still had so much life to live. He also recounted the harrowing scene of seeing his sister on the floor of the garage while his brother-in-law paced around acting hysterically but not providing any assistance.
The court heard that emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after Kaliopi’s body was discovered, and Lo Bianco pleaded with them to save her, comparing the situation to a movie where the person is brought back to life. However, evidence, including a shoe impression from a Nike sneaker and bloodied clothing hidden in the garage and laundry, pointed to Lo Bianco as the perpetrator. Eventually, he confessed to the crime before pleading guilty in court. His defense barrister acknowledged the betrayal he had committed against his entire family and the unforgivable nature of his actions.
The impact of Kaliopi’s murder on her daughter was evident in her victim impact statement, where she described her mother’s love as being like a perpetual hug and expressed the deep pain of not being able to experience it anymore. She lamented the loss of singing, dancing, joking, and being in her mother’s aura, emphasizing the lasting scars left by her father’s actions. The court also heard about the strain caused by Lo Bianco’s job loss and refusal to be vaccinated during the pandemic, which contributed to tension in the family and financial difficulties. Despite the challenges they faced, the family was shocked by the senseless loss of Kaliopi’s life and the devastating impact it had on everyone involved.
Leo Lo Bianco’s sentence of 25 years in prison reflects the severity of his crime and the irreparable harm caused by his actions. The court proceedings highlighted the profound grief and loss experienced by Kaliopi’s family, who were left to grapple with the aftermath of her tragic death. The impact of family violence, particularly when it leads to the loss of a loved one, is far-reaching and long-lasting, as evidenced by the heartbreaking statements made by Kaliopi’s daughter and brother. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing and preventing such tragedies in our communities.
