On Thursday, both Hauser and Herzstock were before a Greek court. Both men stated they bought the six skulls in good faith from a Mykonos boutique for 25 euros ($33), they thought the skulls were fake and that they bought them for Halloween. The court magistrate, upon hearing from both men, dismissed the charges. Greek authorities have launched an investigation and hope to be able to track down the vendor and to determine the origins of the human remains.

Mykonos Island is a tourist destination, renowned for its cosmopolitan character which attracts large numbers of tourists. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. It spans an area of 105.183 km2 (41 sq mi) and rises at an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet its needs.

There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town), which lies on the west coast. It is believed that the island was named after a local hero, who is considered an offspring of the god Apollo and was worshipped locally in antiquity.