Goa double murder shocks coast as Russian national held for killing two women

A chilling double murder has rocked North Goa, with police arresting a 37-year-old Russian national for allegedly killing two Russian women in separate incidents within a span of 24 hours.

The accused, identified as Alexey (Aleksei) Leonov, was arrested for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Elena Kastanova (37), at a rented house in Arambol on January 15 night. Police said the killing followed a heated argument between the couple.

Investigators said Leonov tied Kastanova’s hands and feet and attempted to confine her inside the room. When she tried to escape, he allegedly attacked her with a sharp weapon, slitting her throat. The house owner, Uttam Naik, alerted the police, who reached the spot and took Leonov into custody.

A case has been registered under case number 05.26 and Sections 126(2) and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In a disturbing twist, police revealed that Leonov is also accused of killing another Russian woman, Elena Vaneeva (37), a day earlier in Morjim. According to police, Vaneeva was found dead in her rented room after her landlady reported the incident. The killing allegedly took place after 11 pm following a dispute, during which Leonov is said to have slit her neck with a knife.

After the first murder, Leonov allegedly travelled around eight kilometres to Arambol on the evening of January 15, where police say he went on to commit the second killing. The bodies of both women were recovered on January 16.

Leonov was arrested by Mandrem police, and investigations into the twin murders are ongoing, officials said.