Marc Rieben, the husband of former Miss Switzerland finalist Kristina Joksimovic, was sentenced to life imprisonment on May 13, 2026, after a Swiss court convicted him of murdering his wife and desecrating her remains. Joksimovic, a 38-year-old model and mother of two, was killed on February 13, 2024, at the couple's home in Binningen, near Basel, Switzerland. Prosecutors said Rieben strangled his wife before dismembering her body and attempting to destroy the remains. Although he admitted killing her, he claimed to have acted in self-defense. The Basel-Landschaft Criminal Court rejected that explanation and imposed the maximum custodial sentence under Swiss law. The verdict was not yet legally final when announced.
Who Was Kristina Joksimovic?
Kristina Joksimovic was a Swiss model, beauty pageant finalist, and professional catwalk coach of Serbian heritage.
She became known in Switzerland after winning the Miss Northwest Switzerland title and reaching the final of the Miss Switzerland competition in 2007.
Following her pageant career, Joksimovic established herself as a modeling coach, helping aspiring models develop their runway skills, presentation, and confidence.
Her clients included Dominique Rinderknecht, who represented Switzerland at Miss Universe in 2013.
Joksimovic married Rieben in 2017. The couple had two daughters and lived in Binningen, a municipality near Basel.
Friends and former colleagues remembered her for her warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication to her family and professional work.
What Happened to Kristina Joksimovic?
Joksimovic was killed on February 13, 2024, inside the family home in Binningen.
Her parents became concerned after she failed to collect her daughters from childcare. Her father subsequently went to the house and discovered evidence of the killing.
Investigators determined that Joksimovic had died from strangulation. Her body had subsequently been dismembered, and parts of her remains had been processed using a blender and chemicals.
Forensic findings became central to the investigation because they contradicted the account initially provided by her husband.
Rieben was arrested shortly after the killing and remained in custody while prosecutors investigated the circumstances of his wife's death.
Marc Rieben Initially Claimed Self-Defense
During the investigation, Rieben gave different explanations about what had happened.
He initially claimed that he had found his wife dead and dismembered her body in panic. In March 2024, he acknowledged killing her but maintained that he had acted in self-defense after she allegedly attacked him with a knife.
The defense continued to advance that explanation during his criminal trial in May 2026.
Prosecutors disputed the account, arguing that forensic evidence did not support the claim that Joksimovic had attacked her husband.
The court ultimately rejected the self-defense argument, citing inconsistencies in Rieben's statements and the findings of medical experts.
Husband Formally Charged With Murder in December 2025
After an investigation lasting nearly two years, the Basel-Landschaft Public Prosecutor's Office announced formal charges against Rieben on December 10, 2025.
The charges included murder and disturbing the peace of the dead, an offense under Swiss law concerning the treatment of human remains.
Prosecutors alleged that Rieben deliberately killed his wife in their shared home and subsequently attempted to conceal evidence of the crime.
The case was referred to the Basel-Landschaft Criminal Court, where proceedings began in May 2026.
Swiss Court Sentences Marc Rieben to Life Imprisonment
On May 13, 2026, the Basel-Landschaft Criminal Court in Muttenz found Rieben guilty of murder and disturbing the peace of the dead.
The court imposed a life sentence after determining that the killing involved exceptional cruelty and that his account of self-defense was not credible.
Presiding Judge Daniel Schmid emphasized the seriousness of the crime and the evidence presented during the proceedings.
The prosecution had requested life imprisonment, while the defense had sought an acquittal on the murder charge, arguing that Rieben had acted to protect himself.
The court sided with the prosecution, concluding that the forensic findings and the circumstances of the killing did not support his version of events.
The judgment was not legally final when it was delivered, meaning further legal review remained possible.
Compensation Awarded to Kristina Joksimovic's Family
In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered financial compensation for Joksimovic's surviving relatives.
According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF, the court awarded:
- Each of her two daughters: CHF 100,000.
- Her mother: CHF 126,000.
- Her father: CHF 120,000.
- Her sister: CHF 60,000.
The compensation orders acknowledged the suffering experienced by her surviving family members following the killing.
Family and Public Reaction to the Verdict
The case attracted widespread attention in Switzerland because of Joksimovic's public profile and the circumstances of her death.
Approximately 150 people gathered outside the court in Muttenz on the day of the verdict to show solidarity with her family.
Supporters and organizations addressing violence against women described the case as an example of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
Former Miss Switzerland Christa Rigozzi was among those who publicly mourned Joksimovic, expressing particular concern for her two young daughters.
When the life sentence was announced, supporters outside the courthouse welcomed the decision.
For Joksimovic's family, however, the verdict could not undo the loss of a mother, daughter, sister, and loved one.