Goa Murder Case Takes Dark Turn as Russian Accused Admits to More Killings

Panaji, January 18, 2026 A shocking twist has emerged in the Goa murder case involving a Russian national, as police revealed that the accused has confessed to killing more women than initially believed. The accused, identified as 37-year-old Aleksei Leonov, was first arrested in connection with the murder of two Russian women in North Goa. Leonov was taken into custody early Friday after the body of his suspected live-in partner, Elena Kasthanova (37), was found with her throat slit in a rented room in Arambol. During questioning, he led police to another body — that of Elena Vaneeva (37) — found in Morjim village. Investigators believe Vaneeva was killed on the night of January 14. On Saturday, Leonov further claimed that he had killed a 40-year-old woman from Assam in Korgao village by drugging her. Police are now verifying whether this claim is linked to an overdose case reported at the Pernem Community Health Centre on January 14. Officials said his statements are being carefully checked as he has been changing his version and may be under the influence of psychotropic substances. Police confirmed that Leonov has been living in the Arambol area on a long-term visa since 2023. Preliminary investigation suggests jealousy as the motive in Kasthanova’s murder and a financial dispute in Vaneeva’s case. A judicial magistrate has remanded Leonov to 14 days of police custody, while separate murder cases have been registered as the investigation Goa Murder Case Deepen as Russian Man Admits More Killings A disturbing turn has emerged in the Goa murder investigation after a 37-year-old Russian man accused of killing two women confessed to being involved in more murders. Police said the accused, Aleksei Leonov, claimed the women already found dead were not his only victims, prompting a wider investigation across several locations in North Goa. Leonov was arrested early Friday after the body of his live-in partner, Elena Kasthanova, was found with her throat slit in Arambol. During interrogation, he led police to another body in Morjim village, identified as Elena Vaneeva. Investigators believe she was killed a few days earlier, possibly over a financial dispute. On Saturday, the accused took police to Korgao village, where he claimed to have killed a woman from Assam by drugging her. Police are checking whether this matches a suspected overdose case reported at a local health centre. Officers said the accused has been changing his statements, and his claims are being verified carefully. Leonov, who has been staying in Goa since 2023 on a long-term visa, has been sent to 14 days of police custody. Police said jealousy may have been the motive in one murder, while money issues could be linked to another. Separate cases have been registered, and the investigation is ongoing.