In a shocking case that has rattled Polish courts, a 34‑year‑old woman was suffocated during a sexual act, and her 22‑year‑old Ukrainian boyfriend now stands trial.
Early Life and Health Struggles
From birth, Magdalena faced persistent health challenges, including cerebral palsy, lower‑limb weakness, degenerative spinal and joint disease, heart rhythm disturbances, and blood‑pressure problems. She relied on psychotropic medication and sought psychological support.
Visit to Międzyzdroje
In mid‑June 2022 she travelled with a friend and two children to the seaside resort Międzyzdroje, staying in a private accommodation with two separate rooms.
A Night at the Beach
That evening, Magdalena, her friend, and the children went to the beach promenade, each drinking two glasses of vodka and deciding to forgo prescribed medication. After the children were put to bed around 23:00, they returned to the promenade.
Meeting the Boyfriend
There they met 22‑year‑old Mychajlo M., a quick‑service bartender. They consumed six more glasses of vodka. After the lounge closed, the trio fetched alcohol from a gas station and later returned to the beach.
The Fatal Encounter
Magdalena lost consciousness and died. A sexual chemistry developed; he embraced her and held her hand, while her friend urged him to join. The friend later left for bed after drinking. Magdalena and Mychajlo did not sleep; they discussed sexual fantasies and he confessed a wish to choke, something she consented to.
During sex in a corridor, Mychajlo pressed his left hand around Magdalena’s neck and bent her elbow, asphyxiation. She fell to the floor; he attempted resuscitation with chest compressions and breaths. After about three minutes he deemed her dead and moved her to the bathroom.
Aftermath and Theft
At approximately 5 a.m., Mychajlo fled, stealing the car that brought Magdalena and her friend to Międzyzdroje and taking their handbags, phones, and a shared photo. By 9 a.m., a friend’s daughter awoke the companion, who found Magdalena still sleeping in the bathroom—though she was dead. CPR was attempted, but rescuers confirmed she had been deceased for hours, so no further resuscitation occurred.
Autopsy Findings
The coroner’s report concluded that sudden death resulted from suffocation with strong pressure on the neck. No medical conditions contributed, and no injuries indicated forced intercourse.
Police Report and Arrest
After the night, Mychajlo fled to Germany but returned to Poland under his sister‑in‑law’s advice. He appeared before Szczecin police with the stolen car, having disposed of phones. He denied neck restraint, claiming only wall‑pressing, and was charged with failing to provide assistance and theft.
Charges and Trial
Later, upon deeper investigation, he was charged with murder. He admitted pressing the front of Magdalena’s neck and attempting resuscitation. He claimed he did not call EMS because his phone was dead.
Legal Assessment
Experts judged his intelligence average, noting egocentrism and poor accountability. He was mentally competent at the time and voluntarily intoxicated, foreseeing its outcomes.
Jury Verdict and Sentencing
On 4 June 2024, the Szczecin district court concluded he acted without direct intent, determining he was not a murderer but a negligent killer. The sentence totaled 13 years and 6 months of imprisonment.
The Appeal and Final Sentence
The defense appealed; in May the appellate court reduced the conviction, finding him guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The new sentence is 4 years and 6 months, suggesting release in early 2027.
Rationale Behind the Verdict
The court emphasized that anyone with normal intelligence restraining another’s neck can cause lethal pressure, regardless of motive—aggression, joke, or sexual act. The accused was aware of these consequences.
Potential Future Appeal
In late July, a prosecutor indicated a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court is being prepared.
