A Russian man arrested in Goa for killing two women told police he disliked women named Elena due to childhood neglect by his mother, though investigators say financial and personal disputes were the real motives.
Alexei Leonov, A Russian Man Arrested in Goa Says Childhood Trauma Fuelled Hatred for Name Elena
A Russian national, arrested in Goa on charges of killing two women, has told investigators that he harbored a personal dislike for women named Elena, linking it to a traumatic relationship with his mother, who shared the same name. The accused told police that his mother had “neglected” him during his childhood for which he later harbored deep resentment.
Accused Alexei Leonov is a fire display performer. He was arrested last week over the killings of two Russian women, Elena Kasthanova and Elena Vaneeva. Police earlier said Leonov was close to both victims and that the killings may have been triggered by a “monetary dispute”.
As reported in the media in January 2026, 37-year-old Alexei Leonov, a fire display artist in Goa, a Russian national, is a suspect in a double murder case in Goa. He was arrested for the murder of two Russian women in separate incidents in the North Goa area.
Both the victims, 37 years old, were found dead in different spots in Arambol and Morjim. Both the women were killed on January 14 and 15, 2026, with their throats slit by a sharp-edged weapon, as reported by the police.
Initial investigations suggested that the murders were linked to financial disagreements, including disputes over borrowed money and a “fire crown”. On Tuesday, investigators revealed that during questioning, Leonov spoke about his mother, also named Elena, and claimed her neglect affected him deeply.
Over time, he allegedly developed anger toward women with the same name. However, police were quick to clarify that this personal resentment was not the motive behind the murders. “But it is a peculiar detail that came up during interrogation and paints a picture of his state of mind,” an investigator said, as quoted by the newspaper.
Investigators have also stated that Leonov appears to display “psychopathic” behaviour. During the probe, he allegedly claimed responsibility for killing other people as well.
“In one instance, where he claimed that he killed a foreign national, an investigation has found that though he was acquainted with the woman, she left India sometime ago, and is alive,” The Indian Express quoted police as saying.
In another case, Leonov reportedly told investigators that he had killed a 40-year-old woman from Assam. However, police later confirmed that her death, registered on January 14, was caused by a drug overdose and not murder.
Elena Kasthanova, who worked as a go-go dancer, arrived in Goa on December 24, 2025. She was found dead around 9:15 pm at her rented accommodation in Arambol village. Police said Leonov allegedly assaulted her before slitting her throat with a sharp-edged weapon.
The second victim, Elena Vaneeva, was a bubble performer who had recently come to Goa and had contacted Leonov. According to police, she was allegedly murdered at around 11 pm last Wednesday at her rented accommodation in Morjim, where her throat was slit.
Police added that Leonov was in a relationship with both women. They claimed Kasthanova was allegedly killed due to her relationship with another man, while Vaneeva was murdered over a “monetary dispute”.
