The arrest of a 37-year-old Russian national for the brutal killing of two Russian women in Goa has taken a disturbing turn, with the accused allegedly confessing to more murders, prompting police to investigate whether the case could involve up to five deaths. While authorities caution that several of the claims are yet to be verified through forensic and medical evidence, the revelations have expanded the scope of what was initially believed to be a double homicide.

The accused, identified as Alexei (Aleksei) Leonov, was arrested in the early hours of Friday following the discovery of the body of his suspected live-in partner in North Goa’s Arambol village. Since then, multiple disclosures made during interrogation have led investigators to reopen previously reported “unnatural death” cases and examine Leonov’s movements across Goa and other Indian states.

Double Murder That Shook Goa’s Coastal Belt

The case first came to light on the night of Thursday, January 15, when the body of Elena Kasthanova (37), a Russian national, was found in a rented accommodation in Arambol, a popular coastal village in Pernem taluka. Kasthanova, a go-go dancer and wedding usher, had arrived in Goa on December 24.

Police said her body bore clear signs of a violent struggle. Her hands were tied behind her back with a rope-like material, and her throat had been slit using a sharp weapon. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the attack occurred inside the rented room she shared with Leonov.

Neighbours told police they heard Kasthanova screaming, prompting the landlord to rush to the spot around 9.15 pm. By the time help arrived, Leonov allegedly fled the scene by jumping from the first-floor balcony of the building.

Leonov was arrested at around 4 am on Friday, hours after the body was discovered.

Second Victim Found in Morjim

As police began questioning Leonov in connection with Kasthanova’s murder, they uncovered links to another suspicious death reported just a day earlier in nearby Morjim village, around eight kilometres from Arambol.

Leonov allegedly led investigators to the body of Elena (also reported as Elina) Vaneeva (37), a Russian national who was a close friend of both the accused and Kasthanova. Vaneeva, a bubble performer and artist, had been in Goa for about a month.

Police believe Vaneeva was murdered late on Wednesday night, January 14, sometime after 11 pm, inside her rented room in Morjim. Her landlady later filed a complaint stating that the incident occurred after nightfall. Like Kasthanova, Vaneeva was found with her throat slit, indicating a similar modus operandi.

Investigators suspect that Leonov killed Vaneeva first and then travelled to Arambol the following evening, where Kasthanova was murdered.

Separate murder cases have been registered against Leonov for the deaths of both women.

Motive: Money, Jealousy, and Obsession

In an official statement issued on Saturday, January 17, Goa Police confirmed that Leonov had confessed to murdering Kasthanova and Vaneeva. According to police, Leonov claimed he was in relationships with both women and had been staying with them.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the motive behind the killings may have involved monetary disputes, particularly in Vaneeva’s case. In Kasthanova’s case, police officers indicated that jealousy may have played a role.

One investigator said financial disagreements may have acted as a trigger, but Leonov also appeared to develop obsessive and controlling relationships with the victims, which could have escalated into violence.

However, officials stressed that all statements made by the accused remain subject to verification and should not be taken at face value.

Claims of More Murders Trigger Wider Investigation

The case took a darker turn when Leonov allegedly told police that the two Russian women were not his only victims. During interrogation, he reportedly claimed involvement in multiple killings across different locations, including the death of an Indian woman.

A senior police officer familiar with the investigation said Leonov’s statements were often inconsistent and unclear. “We cannot blindly believe everything he says. Just knowing someone who later died does not automatically mean he is responsible for their death,” the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Police sources noted that Leonov appeared to exhibit psychopathic tendencies, describing a pattern in which he befriended foreign nationals, particularly women from Russia, before allegedly killing them by slitting their throats or suffocating them.

Investigators are now examining whether Leonov could be linked to as many as five deaths in Goa.

Assam Woman’s Death Under Fresh Scrutiny

One of the most serious allegations involves the death of a 40-year-old woman from Assam, initially reported as an “unnatural death” on January 14 at the Pernem Community Health Centre.

Leonov reportedly led police to Korgao village, where he claimed to have drugged the woman before killing her using a wooden stick. Police are now verifying whether this confession corresponds with the overdose case recorded on the same date.

Officials stressed that the woman’s cause of death will only be confirmed after a post-mortem examination and forensic analysis. Until then, Leonov’s claims remain unsubstantiated.

Body Traced From December Case

In another disclosure, Leonov told investigators that he had killed a Russian woman in December 2025. Acting on this information, police traced the body of a foreign woman whose death had previously been recorded as “unnatural.”

Authorities said an autopsy and further investigation are required to determine whether the death was a murder and whether Leonov had any role in it.

Leonov has also claimed involvement in the killing of another Russian woman, but police said no body matching that description has been found so far.

Police Caution Over Accused’s Statements

Police have repeatedly emphasised caution, noting that Leonov has changed his statements multiple times during questioning. Officers also said he is believed to have been under the influence of psychotropic substances, raising concerns about the reliability of his confessions.

“During interrogation, he said that the two women who were found dead were not the only ones he had killed. We are verifying his claims and will act based on the evidence we find,” a Goa police officer said.

Who Is Alexei Leonov?

Leonov is a Russian national who has been residing in India on a long-term visa since 2023. Police said he worked as a fire display performer, a skill often showcased at festivals and events.

Over the past three years, Leonov appears to have lived in multiple states, including Goa and Himachal Pradesh. Authorities are now coordinating with police in other states to verify his background and check for any prior criminal history or unsolved cases linked to him.

The murder weapon used in the confirmed killings has been recovered, and the Russian Embassy has been informed, following standard procedures involving foreign nationals.

Crime Scene Accounts and Witness Testimony

Witness accounts have provided critical insights into the moments leading up to Kasthanova’s murder. According to police, an argument broke out between Leonov and Kasthanova shortly before her death.

Leonov reportedly asked a mutual friend — another Russian woman living in an adjacent room — to intervene. She refused. Shortly afterward, neighbours heard Kasthanova screaming. When the neighbour reached the room, Leonov allegedly jumped from the first-floor balcony and fled.

Custody and What Happens Next

On Saturday, a judicial magistrate first class at Pernem remanded Leonov to 14 days of police custody, allowing investigators more time to question him and examine potential links to other deaths.

Police are awaiting post-mortem reports, forensic evidence, and toxicology results before confirming any additional charges. Investigators are also mapping Leonov’s movements and social connections to determine whether there are other victims.

Rising Concerns Over Tourist Safety

The case has sent shockwaves through Goa’s expatriate and tourist communities, particularly in Arambol, Morjim, and Pernem, areas popular among foreign visitors and long-stay travellers.

While authorities have urged the public not to panic, the incident has reignited concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the state. Goa Police have reiterated that they are proceeding methodically and will rely strictly on evidence before drawing conclusions.

As the investigation unfolds, what began as a tragic double murder has now become one of the most unsettling criminal cases in recent years, with police racing to uncover the full extent of the alleged crimes — and to ensure justice for all victims involved.

With inputs from agencies

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