Files on educator Ludmila Vartic’s death merged into one case
The cases concerning the death of Ludmila Vartic, a teacher from Hâncești found dead in early March after allegedly falling from a height, have been merged into a single trial. The case is being examined under the charge of domestic violence with the intent to commit suicide. Viorel Cernăuțeanu, the head of the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP), announced that the investigation is being conducted by the Hâncești investigation unit.
At present, only one individual has been designated as a suspect in the criminal case, as Cernăuțeanu stated during a program on TVR Moldova.
The head of the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP) noted that investigators have conducted a thorough range of procedural actions to determine all the circumstances of the case. Relatives, colleagues, and neighbors of the victim have been interviewed, and minor children were questioned under special conditions with the presence of specialists. Additionally, technical and scientific assessments have been commissioned, including examinations of items seized during the investigation.
In this context, checks performed by law enforcement officers indicate that there have been no official complaints or reports of violence in this family in recent years.
"Absolutely no request or complaint has been registered with the police. We have also reviewed calls to 112, and there are no such reports," the head of the IGP stated.
Furthermore, information that has emerged in the public domain regarding the circumstances surrounding the death has been categorized as speculation.
"The forensic findings clearly indicate the cause of death, and alternative theories are not substantiated. We aim to clarify the case without leaving room for misinterpretation," Cernăuțeanu added.
Ludmila Vartic, a 38-year-old mother of two and a teacher, was found dead near an apartment building in the Râșcani sector of the capital at the beginning of March. Preliminary reports suggest that she fell from a height and left a suicide note, with a forensic examination revealing no signs of violence on her body.
The case has sparked public reactions, and several women's rights organizations have called for a comprehensive investigation, including scrutiny of the actions taken by relevant institutions. Additionally, there have been claims on social media alleging that the woman had been assaulted by her husband.
Initially, the General Inspectorate of Police launched two criminal proceedings concerning this case. The first was initiated in Chisinau regarding the woman's death, while the second was opened in Hâncești to investigate the circumstances surrounding the lives of Ludmila Vartic and her husband, Dumitru.
Shortly after the case gained public attention, the victim's husband, Dumitru Vartic, resigned as vice president of the Hâncești District Council and was expelled from the Action and Solidarity Party. He is now a suspect in the investigation into his wife's death. However, Vartic denies the allegations of violence against his wife, asserting that the tragedy resulted from serious health issues and depressive episodes experienced by her.
