Goa Court Frames Murder Charges Against Russian National in Deaths of Two Women
A sessions court in Goa has framed charges against a Russian national accused of murdering two Russian women earlier this year. The accused, Alexie Leonov, a fire display performer, was arrested in January 2026 for the deaths of Elena Kasthanova (37) and Elena Vaneeva (37), both Russian nationals residing in Goa.
According to the police investigation, Leonov allegedly murdered Vaneeva, a bubble performer and artist, at her rented accommodation in Morjim on the night of January 14 by slitting her neck with a sharp knife. The following day, on January 15, he allegedly restrained Kasthanova, a go-go dancer and wedding usher, in her rented room in Arambol by tying her hands with a rope-like material and slitting her neck with a sharp weapon.
The court framed charges under section 103(1) (murder) and section 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The prosecution argued that there was sufficient material on record, including disclosure statements, witness testimonies, recoveries, and medical evidence, to establish the accused's involvement. The defence counsel requested that orders be passed after considering the material on record.
In the immediate aftermath, the Goa police indicated that a monetary dispute might be the motive. However, Leonov reportedly told police in his disclosures that he was in a relationship with both women and was living with them. He claimed he suspected Kasthanova was involved with another man, while he allegedly killed Vaneeva over a monetary dispute. Leonov also told police he had killed multiple women, but the police dismissed this, stating the investigation linked him only to these two murders.
According to the chargesheet, Leonov occasionally visited Vaneeva. On the day of the murder, he arrived at her house around 11:30 am to help her move items and stayed until 11 pm, according to a witness. Vaneeva was found murdered on January 16 in her bathroom, slightly decomposed, with a knife on her upper chest.
The chargesheet also notes that Vaneeva contacted a friend, Vasilii Karavaev, on the day of the incident, stating that Leonov was threatening her and refusing to leave. When her friend arrived at 6:41 pm, he found the house locked and a room partially open. He tried calling her but got no response.
Another witness, Elena Loginovich, told police that on January 15, she saw Kasthanova lying on the floor with a pool of blood around her head and saw the accused standing with his right leg on her body. In panic, she called for an ambulance and police. The chargesheet states that this statement prima facie shows the accused's involvement.
The police investigation also revealed that on January 15, around 11 am, Leonov allegedly attacked a male friend of Kasthanova with a metal object as he walked from a restaurant to his car.
