Russian tourist kills 2 women in Goa, including ‘live-in partner’; arrested

According to police, Elena, who had been staying in Goa since 2024 was believed to be involved in a live-in relationship with Leonov.

Updated on: Jan 17, 2026, 11:04:14 IST

By Gerard de Souza

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PANAJI: A 37-year-old Russian man was arrested in the early hours of Friday, hours after his reported live-in partner was found dead at a rented room in north Goa’s Arambol, police said, adding that he has also confessed to killing another woman and probe is on to ascertain the reason for the crime.

According to police, accused Aleksei Leonov, was arrested at around 4am for the murder of Elena Kasthanova. (Satish Bate/Hindustan Times)

According to police, accused Aleksei Leonov, was arrested at around 4am for the murder of Elena Kasthanova, 37, after her body was found on Thursday by her landlord with arms tied behind her back and her throat slit, at their rented room.

ALSO READ | Russian woman, 37, found dead in north Goa room; her hands tied, throat slit: Police

During interrogation, Leonov led the police to the body of his second victim, Elena Vaneeva (37), in neighbouring Morjim. Police said the motive behind the murder is not yet clear. “The accused assaulted his friend who he was staying with and wrongfully restrained her, caused her multiple injuries and slit her neck with a sharp weapon,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

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Police said the investigation is in the preliminary stage and they are gathering evidence, including the murder weapon. The two bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination and Leonov has been booked under sections 103 (murder) and 126 (2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to police, Elena, who had been staying in Goa since 2024 was believed to be involved in a live-in relationship with Leonov.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerard de Souza
Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.Read More

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