A TWISTED husband who killed his Miss Switzerland finalist wife and placed her dismembered body parts in a blender has been jailed for life.
Dad-of-two Marc Rieben, 42, showed little remorse in court as he was found guilty of the brutal murder of Kristina Joksimovic, 38.
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Marc Rieben, 42, showed little remorse in court as he was found guilty of the brutal murder of Kristina Joksimovic, 38 Credit: Instagram
Kristina, a former Miss Switzerland finalist, was strangled and dismembered in 2024 Credit: instagram
Judge Daniel Schmid said as he passed the sentencing: “There are cases that make fiction become reality. This case has changed our reality.
“No court ruling can fill the void left by the loss of a loved one. We as a court will also never forget you and will carry you in our hearts.”
The grim trial found that Rieben flew into a killer rage against Kristina as the pair argued over their divorce back on February 13, 2024.
Rieben refused to accept the separation as he demanded full custody of the children and denied any financial support, prosecutors said.
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After a verbal back and forth, Rieben – the son of a successful lawyer – is said to have grabbed Kristina by the throat and slammed her against a wall.
He then used a “ribbon-like object” to strangle her before mutilating her body in a sickening move which investigators called deliberate and methodical.
An autopsy revealed a catalogue of injuries including blunt force trauma, cuts all over Kristina’s face, bruising across her body and hair torn from her scalp.
Pureed body parts were also found by police inside an industrial blender in the couple’s home.
Rieben’s legal team argued his wife threatened him with a knife during a heated divorce dispute Credit: Enterprise
The grim trial found that Rieben flew into a killer rage against Kristina as the pair argued over their divorce back on February 13, 2024 Credit: Instagram
Other parts of Kristina were dissolved in chemicals.
In a chilling detail, investigators found Rieben had been watching YouTube on his phone as he carried out the dismemberment.
Kristina’s body was later found by her own dad when he saw blonde hair sticking out of a black bag in the laundry room.
The father had been round the family home eating dinner with his grandchildren and Rieben when he made the discovery.
The only organ not found in the home was Kristina’s womb as investigators said it was “carefully removed”.
This led to the the rare charge of desecration of the dead being added to the prosecution’s case.
The indictment said Rieben acted “knowingly and intentionally, in full awareness and from a selfish attitude and mindset characterised by a need for control, resentment, revenge and massive anger”.
Rieben’s legal team argued his wife threatened him with a knife during the divorce dispute.
Kristina was a mum-of-two Credit: instagram
Kristina’s mum and dad were awarded 220,000 Swiss Francs between them and the model’s sister is due to get 60,000 Swiss Francs Credit: instagram
They said he should get three years at most for “excessive self-defence”.
Rieben addressed the court last Monday as he held back tears while saying: “I have caused my family immeasurable suffering. Why? Why did I fail? Why couldn’t I prevent it?
“Why couldn’t I stop her from dying at my hands? I loved my wife with all my heart and believed in a future together.
“It haunts me day and night. What I did is absolutely unforgivable, and I take full responsibility. I deeply regret it, and I apologise.”
Court-appointed expert Professor Frank Urbaniok said during the trial that he had diagnosed Rieben with narcissistic traits and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
He added: “I have been working as an expert witness for 33 years and overseen 5,000 cases.
“I have seen many people who have committed homicides against intimate partners. But I have never seen anything like this before”.
As he was sentenced to life behind bars in a Basel jail, Judge Schmid also ordered Rieben to pay 100,000 Swiss Francs in compensation to the couple’s two daughters aged five and six.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Kristina’s mum and dad were awarded 220,000 Swiss Francs between them and the model’s sister is due to get 60,000 Swiss Francs.
The amounts are all to be increased by 5 per cent interest from the date of the killing.
Anina Hofer, the lawyer for Kristina’s parents, read out a heart-breaking statement from her mum during the final day of the trial.
She said: “I stand here today in court as a mother who has lost her daughter. Whose children miss their mummy every day.
“She was loving, protective of her children, and gave them everything. Just one month after she tried to forge a new path for herself and her children, she was brutally torn from life.
“No verdict can bring our daughter back. But it can show that her life matters.”
Outside the court, crowds holding balloons and banners applauded as the final verdict was announced.
