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Same name, same age, same ‘killer’: 2 Russian women found dead in Goa

Police say the accused, also from Russia, killed both women by slitting their throats

2 min readPanajiJan 17, 2026 07:40 AM IST

Russian women murdered, Russian women murdered in goa, 2 Russian women murdered, Goa police, Indian express news, current affairs

Police said Leonov works as a fire display performer. The motive for the murders is yet to be ascertained.

The Goa Police on Friday arrested a Russian national for allegedly murdering two Russian women in North Goa’s Pernem taluka.

Police identified the deceased as Elena Kasthanova and Elena Vaneeva, both aged 37 and hailing from Russia. The accused, identified as Aleksei Leonov, who came to India on a business visa, has been arrested. Police said Leonov works as a fire display performer. The motive for the murders is yet to be ascertained.

Police said on Wednesday night, sometime after 11 pm, the accused is suspected to have killed Vaneeva by “slitting her neck with a sharp knife” at a rented house in Morjim. The following day, Kasthanova was found murdered at 9.15 pm at her rented accommodation in Arambol. According to the FIR, Leonov allegedly assaulted Kasthanova and restrained her by tying her hands behind her back with a rope, causing multiple injuries. He then allegedly slit her neck with a sharp-edged weapon, the FIR said.

After murdering Kasthanova, Leonov fled but was taken into custody by police early Friday morning.

Police said Kasthanova arrived in Goa on a tourist visa on December 24, after which she met Leonov. “They got acquainted and were living together at a rented house in Arambol. The motive for both murders is not clear at the moment. The modus operandi is the same. The accused killed them by slitting their throats and used a sharp-edged weapon,” an officer said.

Police said that in preliminary questioning, Leonov told them that he had been “friendly” with both women.

Police have registered two separate cases of murder at Mandrem police station.

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While Kasthanova was reported dead on Thursday night, Vaneeva’s body was found only on Friday evening, more than 40 hours after she is suspected to have been murdered. “Her body was decomposed and bloated,” the officer said.

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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