Tourists found dead inside Greek island guesthouse died in 'satanic ritual'

A tourist couple found dead in a Greek island guesthouse appear to have sacrificed themselves in a Satanic ritual, authorities say.

The bloodied bodies of Lilia Botusheva, 23, a Bulgarian national who studied in Germany, and her German boyfriend, 30, were found in the apartment on the island of Kefalonia on December 31.

Knives, candles and a pentagram symbol - commonly associated with Satanism - were found near the bodies, The Sun reports.

Lilia Botusheva had been missing. Source: Facebook / Lilia Botusheva
Lilia Botusheva had been missing. Source: Facebook / Lilia Botusheva

The sinister arrangement of objects in the blood-soaked apartment led investigators to believe the pair were taking part in a black magic ritual.

Ms Botusheva, who was reported missing by her family in Bulgaria last July, was wearing a pentagram pendant around her neck.

Authorities believe Ms Botusheva took her own life first after cutting herself. She was found half-naked on a lounge.

Her boyfriend then got into the bath and stabbed himself through the heart.

It's understood Ms Botusheva had scars showing previous self harm. Source: Facebook / Lilia Botusheva
It's understood Ms Botusheva had scars showing previous self harm. Source: Facebook / Lilia Botusheva

The deaths took place 24 hours before the full moon of New Year's Day - nicknamed the 'Wolf Moon' and the brightest of 2018.

Ms Botusheva's family had been posting desperate messages on social media in the hopes of finding the missing woman.

Desperate calls were put out on social media by Ms Botusheva's family to try and find her. Source: Facebook / Lilia Botusheva
Desperate calls were put out on social media by Ms Botusheva's family to try and find her. Source: Facebook / Lilia Botusheva

Their bodies were found on December 31 by the pregnant owner of the guesthouse, where the pair had been staying since Boxing Day after booking online through Airbnb.

The coroner noted that Ms Botusheva had multiple scars that indicated previous self-harm, The Mirror reports.