Overview
- Police confirm two Russian women, Elena Kasthanova and Elena Vaneeva, were killed in Arambol and Morjim, with accused Aleksei Leonov leading officers to one body and admitting involvement.
- Leonov was remanded to 14 days’ police custody as separate murder cases were registered, the suspected weapon was recovered, the Russian Embassy was informed, and post-mortems are pending.
- During questioning, Leonov claimed additional victims, including a 40-year-old woman from Assam, prompting checks against a January 14 suspected overdose case linked to Korgao and the Pernem Community Health Centre.
- Investigators are now examining up to five deaths referenced by the accused, including two more Russian women and a December 2025 ‘unnatural death,’ which remain unverified pending forensic results.
- Police say the accused’s statements have been inconsistent and possibly influenced by substances, with preliminary lines of inquiry noting jealousy and a monetary dispute as potential triggers in the confirmed cases.