Turn in paramedic murder investigation: doctor detained in Biržai, father of Sadauskienė

A doctor has been detained in Biržai as part of the ongoing pre-trial investigation into the murder of paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, according to a joint statement by prosecutors and police cited by LRT.

The detained suspect, Egidijus Gaigalas, is a physician in Biržai and the father of Justina Gaigalaitė (also known as Sadauskienė). Gaigalas serves as the head of the Resuscitation and Intensive Care Unit at Biržai Hospital, as listed on the hospital’s website.

Petras Bimba, director of Biržai Hospital, told ELTA that he learned of Gaigalas’ detention from colleagues while attending a conference in Vilnius. “Employees reported that law enforcement officers had arrived at the hospital and that an incident had occurred,” Bimba said. He described Gaigalas as a normal employee and stated that no work-related concerns had been raised about him. “We knew nothing about the allegations against him; no one told us anything,” Bimba added.

During searches of Gaigalas’ home and workplace, authorities reportedly found approximately 50 rounds of ammunition and psychotropic substances that may be linked to the criminal case. Gaigalas faces preliminary charges under Article 253 (1) of the Criminal Code for the unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, or explosive materials, and under Article 260 (2) for the unlawful possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances with intent to distribute or in large quantities.

“The data collected by officers of the Panevėžys County Chief Police Commissariat in this investigation allow us to reasonably believe that the psychotropic substances found during the searches at the suspect’s home and workplace may be connected to the criminal activities under investigation. Around 50 rounds of various calibres were also found during the searches,” the statement read. The searches were conducted by officers from the Panevėžys County Chief Police Commissariat and the special forces unit Aras.

A court hearing in Panevėžys will decide on Friday morning whether to remand Gaigalas in custody, following the prosecutor’s request. Prosecutors will provide a brief comment to journalists after the hearing.

As previously reported, the search for Sadauskas began on April 20. His vehicle was found the following day, and his body was discovered on the same property where the car was located. Sadauskas’ wife, her close associate, and her father were later detained. Two suspects remain in custody.