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:('''The events and details of the martyrdom of the saint were relayed to Abbot Dorotheos (Themelis) of [[St. Nicholas Monastery (Andros, Greece)]] by his daughter Maria.''')</ref>
The criminals responsible were Edward and Anna Bowman. <ref group="note"> [http://articles.latimes.com/1986-01-09/news/mn-14136_1_greek-orthodox-priest Court Hearing - the State]. ''Los Angeles Times.'' January 09, 1986.<br>:"The husband of the secretary to a priest who was beaten to death was booked for investigation of the priest's murder, Santa Cruz authorities said. Cab driver Edward Bowman, 39, was arrested at his home in the death of Father John Karastamatis, a Greek Orthodox priest, Police Chief Jack Bassett said. A local judge ordered the arrest warrant sealed until a court hearing. Karastamatis, 47, was killed last May 19 by repeated blows from a blunt object. He also was stabbed, and his wallet and keys were taken, detectives said. Bowman's wife, Anna, 43, shot and killed herself Dec. 19 after firing at a detective who wanted to question her about the slaying. Bassett said Anna Bowman also would have been arrested if she had not committed suicide. Anna Bowman had worked for Karastamatis as a volunteer secretary. The priest had "taken the Bowmans under his wing," Lt. Mike Dunbaugh said."</ref> Edward Bowman, an ex-Marine, was eligible for the death penalty, but pled guilty to avoid execution. Bowman was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in 1988. However he was eligible for parole in 2010. In February 2010, the Santa Cruz District Attorney's Office reported that he was denied parole, with the Parole Board ruling that he will not be eligible again until 2015.<ref>Jennifer Squires. [http://www.orthodoxnews.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=usnews.one&content_id=18416&CFID=72092943&CFTOKEN=53644936&tp_preview=true Man who killed Santa Cruz priest denied parole for five years]. Santa Cruz Sentinel. February 8, 2010.</ref>
This brutal crime was pre-meditated. Detectives involved in this case believe these criminals were responsible for other crimes, and committed other murders. One theory is they told Father John, in counseling, of their crimes. They became nervous then planned his murder to ensure Father John remained silent. As he lay dying they rifled through Father John’s pockets, searched his office and stole items from the Church. The criminal’s son was in fear for his life as Edward Bowman, while bragging of the brutal murder, threatened to kill him as well if he said anything about the murder. Psychiatrists who examine Bowman agree, he has sociopath tendencies, is a pathological liar and to this day expresses no remorse.<ref>[http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter243/2010/01/please-help-us-keep-cold-blooded-killer.htm Please help us keep a cold-blooded killer behind bars]. Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243. Friday, January 08, 2010.</ref>
