Marc Rieben is scheduled to stand trial for the murder of his wife, Kristina Joksimovic, which occurred in February 2024. The case has deeply shocked Switzerland due to the extreme violence involved, including dismemberment and the use of a blender.

A Perfect Facade

Prosecutors state the murder stemmed from a disagreement regarding the couple’s separation. Rieben and Joksimovic were often described by friends as a ‘perfect family’, presenting a carefully curated image of happiness on social media.

Just weeks before her death, Kristina, a former Miss Switzerland finalist and catwalk coach, shared photos from a luxurious vacation, concealing the growing tensions within the relationship. Marc, the son of a successful lawyer, maintained a stable career and a reputation as a devoted father.

The Brutal Crime

In February 2024, this facade collapsed when Rieben brutally murdered his wife in a fit of rage. He subsequently dismembered her body and, according to the autopsy report, ‘pureed’ parts of it. This shocking crime sent waves of disbelief throughout Switzerland and internationally.

Details of the Investigation

The couple, married since 2017, lived in an affluent area of Binningen, near Basel. Neighbors and acquaintances consistently described Rieben as a model husband and father, actively participating in community activities like scouting.

Friends of Kristina expressed shock, stating they perceived the couple as idyllic. As the trial approaches, the motive for the horrific act is becoming clearer.

Dispute Over Divorce

Prosecutors believe the murder resulted from a heated argument during discussions about their impending separation. Rieben reportedly strongly opposed the divorce, demanding full custody of their children and refusing to provide financial support to Kristina.

Horrific Details Revealed

This disagreement escalated into a violent confrontation where Rieben allegedly strangled Kristina with a ribbon-like object after initially assaulting her. The subsequent mutilation of her body, including the removal of her womb, is being examined as a potential indication of a mental disorder or a deliberate act of degradation.

Kristina’s body exhibited significant blunt force trauma, including facial cuts and bruising. Rieben used a jigsaw, knife, and garden shears to dismember her remains, even using an industrial blender for some parts and chemical solutions for others.

Investigators discovered he was watching YouTube videos during the dismemberment process. The basement of their home, described as an ‘isolated bunker’, yielded a gruesome discovery of skin flaps, muscle tissue, and bone fragments.

Discovery of the Crime

Kristina’s father discovered the horrific truth when she failed to collect their daughters from kindergarten. Rieben initially feigned ignorance, even cooking dinner for his father-in-law, before the father discovered Kristina’s severed head in a bin bag in the basement.