Suspected paramedic killer Gaigalaitė denies charges, seeks to reduce two-month detention

The former wife of slain paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, Justina Gaigalaitė, appeared in Panevėžys Regional Court on Wednesday to challenge her two-month pretrial detention, which she calls excessive, LRT.lt reports. Gaigalaitė, the primary suspect in Sadauskas’ murder, maintains her innocence.

Escorted into the courtroom early Wednesday, Gaigalaitė concealed her face and declined to speak to journalists. Her lawyer, Vaidotas Sviderskis, confirmed she denies all charges and would accept alternative pretrial restrictions but considers the current detention unjustifiably harsh.

Prosecutor Lukas Krivickas defended the court’s decision, citing flight risk, potential obstruction of justice, and the possibility of further crimes if released. “The investigation is still in its early stages,” Krivickas said, declining to disclose details of the case. “Such crimes are complex to solve, but authorities are working to uncover the truth.”

Sviderskis emphasised that the hearing focused solely on pretrial measures, not guilt. “My client has clearly stated she is not guilty, and I support that position,” he said, urging against public speculation. “Presumption of innocence applies. We resolve legal matters in court, not in the media.”

Gaigalaitė was first detained on April 23 for two months alongside another suspect, Vilius Solkanas, whose father, Ilja Solkanas, was released on a €5,000 bail. Vilius Solkanas and Gaigalaitė face charges of unlawful detention and premeditated murder, while Ilja Solkanas is linked only to an illegally possessed firearm found on his property.

Sadauskas, a Greitosios medicinos pagalbos (Emergency Medical Service) paramedic, vanished under suspicious circumstances on April 20 after informing his family of a delivery job for a children’s party. Investigators later discovered his abandoned vehicle; the client’s social media profile had been deleted, and the listed daycare centre did not exist.