Double murder shocks Goa: Two Russian women strangled, bodies found miles apart

Panaji (The Uttam Hindu): A sensational case of murder of two Russian women has come to light in Goa. The bodies of both were recovered on Friday, after which the police have arrested 37-year-old Russian citizen Alexey Leonov for this double murder. The deceased women have been identified as Elena Kasatnova (37) and Alina Vaneva (37). According to Goa Police, both the murders were committed in the same manner. Both the women's throats were slit with a knife and their hands were tied behind their backs with a rope.

Two Russian women murdered in Goa, both strangled; one's body found 8 km away; accused arrested : The first case came to light on Thursday night, when the body of Elena Kastananova was found in a rented house in Arambol area. According to the landlady's complaint, the incident took place after 11 pm. Kastananova was living in a live-in relationship with the accused Alexey Leonov. The police were still investigating this murder when information was received about the murder of another Russian woman, Elena Vanieva, in Morjim area, about eight kilometers away from the incident site. The investigation revealed that Vanieva was a close friend of both the accused and Kastananova.

According to statements given to the police, the accused and Kastanova had been living in a rented room for the past month. On January 14th, they had an argument over something. Kastanova reportedly asked a Russian woman living nearby to intervene, but she refused to intervene.

A neighbor told police that she later heard Kastananova's screams. By the time she arrived, the suspect had already escaped by jumping from the first-floor balcony. Later, on the evening of January 15th, he traveled to Morjim village, about eight kilometers away, and murdered Elena Vaneva.

Police are investigating the motives behind both murders, as well as the suspect's criminal record and his possible involvement in criminal networks. The incident has caused panic and anxiety among locals living in areas frequented by Russian tourists.