In a shocking double murder case from Goa, police have arrested a Russian national for allegedly killing his live-in partner after her body was found in a rented room in north Goa’s Arambol. The case took a darker turn after the accused reportedly confessed to killing another woman, whose body was later recovered from a nearby village.
Woman found murdered in rented room
The gruesome discovery was made on Thursday when the landlord of the rented accommodation in Arambol alerted police after finding the body of a woman with her throat slit. Police identified the deceased as 37-year-old Elena Kasthanova, a Russian citizen who had been staying in Goa since 2024.
Investigators said the woman’s arms were tied behind her back, indicating a violent assault. The accused, identified as Aleksei Leonov, was arrested in the early hours of Friday, around 4 am.
Live-in relationship confirmed
Police officials said Kasthanova was believed to be in a live-in relationship with Leonov, with whom she was sharing the rented room. According to investigators, Leonov allegedly assaulted the woman, wrongfully restrained her, inflicted multiple injuries and slit her neck using a sharp weapon.
The murder weapon is yet to be recovered, and forensic teams are collecting evidence from the crime scene.
Accused leads police to second body
During interrogation, Leonov reportedly confessed to killing another woman. Acting on his disclosure, police recovered the body of a second victim, identified as Elena Vaneeva, also aged 37, from Morjim, a coastal village close to Arambol.
Police said the motive behind the killings remains unclear and the investigation is at a preliminary stage.
Case registered, probe underway
Both bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. Leonov has been booked under Sections 103 (murder) and 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police said further investigation is ongoing to establish the sequence of events and possible motives.