Mazonakis Questioned €6,000 Plasmapheresis Cost Before His Death

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New testimony in the investigation into the death of Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis has raised fresh questions about the treatment he underwent on the day he died, with a witness telling an investigating magistrate that the singer had initially agreed to plasmapheresis before backing out over its cost.

Hypnotherapist Nasos Komianos, who introduced Mazonakis to doctor Ioanna Gaka, told investigators that the singer had been quoted a cost that could reach €6,000 and subsequently said he would undergo hydrotherapy instead.

Mazonakis, 54, died on September 9 after suffering cardiac arrest during a plasmapheresis procedure at a private practice in Kolonaki, Athens.

The details were included in Komianos’ testimony to the investigating magistrate on September 21 and provide a new account of the hours leading up to the singer’s death.

Mazonakis reportedly changed his mind over the cost

Komianos said Mazonakis initially accepted both the proposed treatment and its cost when the pair spoke on Monday, September 7.

The following day, however, Komianos said doctor Gaka forwarded him a message from Mazonakis saying he had changed his mind.

According to the witness, Mazonakis indicated that he did not want to spend between €3,000 and €6,000 on plasmapheresis and would instead come to the practice for hydrotherapy.

Komianos said he had no financial interest in the treatment and would not have received a commission from any procedure carried out on Mazonakis.

A photograph from the treatment

The testimony then takes investigators into the crucial hours of September 9.

Komianos said he was at Gaka’s practice that morning for a hypnotherapy appointment and later contacted her to establish whether Mazonakis had arrived.

He said Gaka assured him that everything would be completed in time for his planned 5pm meeting with the singer.

Later that afternoon, while Mazonakis was undergoing plasmapheresis at the practice on Karneadou Street, Komianos said he received a message from Gaka telling him that everything was going well.

He also received a photograph showing Mazonakis connected to the treatment machine.

Komianos told the magistrate that the photograph immediately concerned him.

He said Mazonakis’ eyes appeared closed and that one of his legs looked limp.

Then came the ambulance call

At approximately 4.50pm, shortly before he was due to meet Mazonakis, Komianos said he contacted Gaka to ask whether the singer was all right.

When she did not respond, he called her.

According to his testimony, Gaka told him that an ambulance had arrived and taken Mazonakis away.

Komianos said she told him that Mazonakis’ blood pressure had fallen, that he was speaking incoherently and that she had raised the possibility that he had taken substances.

The witness said he asked why she had not accompanied Mazonakis to hospital and was told that she had another client.

Komianos said he then raised another possibility with Gaka, telling her that Mazonakis had previously mentioned taking diuretics and asking whether they could have contributed to the drop in his blood pressure.

He said Gaka replied that this could happen.

Komianos said he urged her to go to the hospital and offer assistance because he believed Mazonakis was still alive.

The moment he learned Mazonakis had died

Komianos said that at around 6pm he received an alert on his phone reporting that Mazonakis had died at Elpis Hospital.

He said he was devastated by the news and contacted Gaka, telling her how terrible the situation was.

The witness also acknowledged the significance of his own role in the chain of events, telling investigators that he felt particularly distressed because he had been the person who introduced Mazonakis to the doctor.

Investigation into the final treatment

Gaka and her husband, doctor Ilias Theodoropoulos, remain in custody at Korydallos prison in connection with the investigation and face homicide charges.

Gaka has denied administering any substance or sedative to Mazonakis.

The latest testimony adds another layer to an increasingly detailed investigation into what happened inside the Karneadou Street practice, including the treatment Mazonakis received, his condition during the procedure and the response after his health deteriorated.

The claims contained in the testimony remain allegations and will ultimately be assessed by the Greek justice system.

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