Shock, deep mourning, and silent grief prevail in the neighborhood where Giorgos Mazonakis was born and raised, the popular singer who “passed away” on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the age of 54. Giorgos Mazonakis’s parents, Manolis and Kleio, have been at the family home in Nikaia since yesterday, receiving condolences from relatives and friends.
Alpha Greece journalist Maria Kolovou reported on the “Alpha News” program that, upon hearing the tragic news, neighbors and friends gathered outside the artist’s home and spoke about a very lively man who regularly visited his parents and childhood friends and made his presence felt in the community. Witnesses say he provided financial support to many people and was deeply involved in his parish church, which he attended almost every Sunday as a child. Those who received Mazonakis’s help speak of a man with a rich history of social service “behind” the lights and cameras.
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A close friend of his told Alpha Greece that the last time Giorgos Mazonakis visited his neighborhood was last summer. She spoke of a man with a deep love for music and singing, who knew from the very beginning that he would become famous. At the age of 13, while still in school, he began taking his first steps toward a brilliant career that brought him recognition and money. It’s telling that every time someone from his neighborhood visited him at a venue where he was performing, he would instruct the waitstaff to seat them at the first table, take good care of them, and make sure they had a wonderful evening.
Among others, Yiannis Tragakis, the New Democracy MP for Piraeus and uncle of the late singer, also crossed the threshold of Mazonakis’s childhood home.
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Meanwhile, police officers, prosecutors, and a delegation from the Athens Medical Association (ISA) as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death. Authorities are expected to examine, among other things, whether the clinic in question holds the necessary operating licenses, as well as whether specific medical procedures and treatments were permitted to be performed on the premises. At the same time, a special committee from the Athens Medical Association (ISA) visited the clinic to determine whether equipment for performing plasmapheresis was present on the premises.
The Association’s President, George Patoulis, stated that the facility was licensed to operate as a pathology clinic and that plasmapheresis was not authorized there. “It was licensed as a general practice clinic; plasmapheresis could not be performed there. There is no record of a plasmapheresis machine in the clinic’s files,” he said. Speaking to ERT, Mr. Patoulis noted that the clinic was shared by an internist and a physician without a specialty, who, according to him, practiced preventive and holistic medicine. As he explained, the Athens Medical Association (ISA) has no record of a plasma exchange machine in the relevant file. “You realize that something like this would have taken place without being recorded and, obviously, without authorization to operate such a machine,” he said, emphasizing that the case is under investigation.
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According to the President of the Athens Medical Association (ISA), blood transfusion is a specialized medical procedure, which requires not only certified equipment but also specialized medical staff capable of assessing the patient’s condition and managing any potential complications. As he noted, this procedure is currently used in public hospitals, primarily for blood disorders and blood purification. At the same time, as he mentioned, newer applications have been developed involving plasma purification in cases where detoxification is required. According to Mr. Patoulis, plasmapheresis is also performed in outpatient units abroad. However, as he emphasized, this requires the necessary licensing, appropriate standards, and specialized staff.
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Hematologist Sotiris Koumas issues a clear warning about the use of plasmapheresis outside of established therapeutic indications, emphasizing to KYPE that this is a medical procedure that can cause complications ranging from mild to severe and “must be performed at specialized centers.”
Regarding its use for anti-aging purposes, Mr. Koumas states that he is unaware of whether it is practiced in Cyprus, emphasizing that “the first rule of medicine is to do no further harm.” Speaking to CNA, in light of the public debate that has arisen surrounding the death of Giorgos Mazonakis and the reports regarding plasmapheresis and anti-aging, Mr. Koumas made it clear that he is not participating in this specific public debate, while also explaining what plasmapheresis is and in which cases it is used as a therapeutic method.
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As he noted, plasmapheresis is a specific medical procedure with a wide range of applications across several medical specialties, including hematology and neurology, and in some cases is also used in rheumatology.
He explained that it essentially involves the exchange of the patient’s plasma. Plasma is the liquid component of blood, through which various molecules—including proteins, antibodies, and clotting factors—are transported. In pathological conditions, he added, this liquid component may contain elevated levels of pathological proteins, autoantibodies, or other substances, which may cause harm to the patient if left untreated.
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Timely treatment is critical
As a prime example, he cited thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, noting that in many cases plasmapheresis is mandatory and that early diagnosis and initiation of treatment can be crucial for survival. “The earlier you make the diagnosis, the earlier you begin plasmapheresis—and we’re talking about hours—the better the patient’s chances of survival,” he said. Mr. Koumas also expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation achieved among Cyprus’s public hospitals in managing cases requiring plasmapheresis.
As he explained, such a procedure may require the collaboration of hematologists, nephrologists, intensivists, and surgeons, as well as specialized nursing staff. He cited as an example a case in which, as he said, the initial diagnosis was made within an hour and the machine was available to begin plasmapheresis within four hours. “We have the team; we have the specialized nursing staff,” he said, noting that this is a procedure requiring expertise and the ability to immediately address potential complications.
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From bleeding to arrhythmia
Referring to potential complications, the hematologist noted that these can range from mild to particularly severe. As he explained, inserting a catheter can cause injury or bleeding, while the catheter—which remains in place for as long as the sessions are needed—can become infected or develop a blood clot. During plasmapheresis, he explained, the patient’s blood passes through a special machine and filters; the plasma is removed, while the blood cells (red and white blood cells and platelets) are returned to the patient.
At the same time, he said that fluid is administered to replace the plasma that is removed. “Depending on the indication and method, this fluid may be donor plasma,” he noted. Mr. Koumas explained that plasma, as a biological agent, can cause an allergic reaction, which may require anything from simple anti-allergy treatment to more significant medical interventions.
In addition, there may be a drop in blood pressure or electrolyte imbalances, which in some cases can lead to arrhythmia. He emphasized, however, that these are known risks of the procedure, which can be managed in an appropriate hospital setting. “That is why plasmapheresis must be performed at specialized centers, for specific therapeutic indications,” he noted.
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He does not know if it is used for anti-aging purposes
When asked whether plasmapheresis is used in Cyprus for anti-aging purposes rather than to treat a specific disease, Mr. Koumas replied that he does not know. He referred the matter to the competent authorities, who, as he said, can provide information on the purposes for which this specific method is used and whether there is relevant evidence within the framework of approved scientific protocols. “In public hospitals, I apply the therapeutic approach within the framework of the recommended protocol,” he said.
Mr. Koumas also noted that he has not investigated how many centers in Cyprus have the capacity to perform therapeutic plasmapheresis, while referring to centers that have recently opened and the publicity surrounding this specific method.
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“Inspections must also be stepped up”
Regarding the operational framework for such centers in Cyprus, the hematologist noted that the competent authority is the Ministry of Health, through the General Directorate of Medical Services and Public Health Services. As he explained, there are supervisors and inspectors, and specific requirements that facilities and services must meet in order to be licensed. He noted, however, that beyond the technical framework, effective oversight of the services provided must also be ensured. “Inspections must also be strengthened. And yes, everyone must be inspected,” he said.
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“Don’t cause any more harm”
When asked what he would say to someone who requested liposuction solely for anti-aging purposes, Mr. Koumas replied: “It’s not within my specialty; I’m not familiar with it.” At the same time, he invoked the fundamental rule of medicine, which, according to him, is “do no further harm.” “Even with a patient who is ill, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s better not to intervene, so as not to cause further harm,” he said. Referring to prevention, he noted that medicine can effectively address factors such as cholesterol, smoking, and alcohol consumption. “Doctors often say that prevention accounts for 50% of treatment,” he noted. Finally, Mr. Koumas noted that in cases treated with therapeutic plasmapheresis at public hospitals, the results, as he put it, fall “within the range of international success and failure rates,” emphasizing that, as with any medical treatment, “there are also failures.”
