Three detained in paramedic’s murder, including his ex-wife

Lithuanian prosecutors have detained three people—two men and a woman—in connection with the murder of paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, whose body was found in Panevėžys district on Monday, LRT reports. The woman is believed to be Sadauskas’ former wife.

Donatas Skrebiškis, chief prosecutor of Panevėžys Regional Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed the detentions during a press conference on Tuesday. He stated that the pre-trial investigation covers three potential offences: unlawful deprivation of liberty, premeditated murder, and illegal possession of firearms.

“We have information that the woman is linked to the missing person—she is his former spouse,” Skrebiškis said. He declined to confirm whether one of the detained men was her current partner, noting only that “they are acquainted.”

The prosecutor cited personal conflicts as the likely motive for the killing. Two suspects were apprehended at a rural property, while the third was detained elsewhere in Panevėžys district. A firearm was recovered at the scene, though its role in the crime remains under examination by forensic experts.

Investigators also discovered remnants of an inflatable trampoline—believed to be the same one Sadauskas was transporting before his disappearance—on the property. Skrebiškis said there was evidence the trampoline had been set alight, and the victim’s body may later have been wrapped in its remains and buried. Police confirmed the body had been concealed, requiring extensive digging to locate it.

Two of the detained individuals have prior convictions: one for drug-related offences, the other for drunk driving. Formal charges are expected to be filed shortly, after which the suspects will be questioned and decisions on pre-trial detention will be made.

Sadauskas, who rented and delivered trampolines, was last seen on Monday morning after receiving an order via Facebook to deliver a trampoline to a kindergarten. His vehicle was later found abandoned in a remote area near the property where his body was discovered. Authorities noted that the Facebook account used to place the order had since been deleted and that no kindergarten existed at the specified address.