Russian woman found dead in Goa, arrested ‘live-in partner’ reveals chilling double murder plot

The investigators say the body of the 37-year-old woman, Elena Kasthanova, was discovered in Goa with her arms tied behind her back.

In a twisted tale of a live-in relationship in Goa, a Russian citizen was arrested for alleged killing his partner after her body was found in a rented room in north Goa’s Arambol. The gruesome discovery was made by the landlord, who found the woman with her throat slit, police said.

As reported by HT previously, the accused, identified as Aleksei Leonov, was taken into custody in the early hours of Friday, at around 4am. The investigators said the body of the 37-year-old woman, Elena Kasthanova, was discovered on Thursday with her arms tied behind her back, indicating a violent assault.

“The accused assaulted his friend who he was staying with and wrongly restrained her, caused her multiple injuries and slit her neck with a sharp weapon,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

Police further confirmed that Kasthanova, who had been living in Goa since 2024, was believed to be in a live-in relationship with Leonov.

Led cops to second victim

But just when the case could not get any darker, the 37-year-old accused admitted to killing another woman.

During interrogation, Leonov lead police to the body of a second victim, Elena Vaneeva, also 37, in nearby Morjim. The motive for the killings is still unclear, and police said the investigation is at an early stage to speculate anything.

The investigation continues as authorities are collecting evidence, including the alleged murder weapon, and both bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.

Leonov has been booked under sections 103 (murder) and 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Russian national Alexei Leonov was arrested for allegedly killing compatriots Elena Vaneeva and Elena Kasthanova in north Goa on January 14 and January 15 in Arambol and Morjim villages, a police official said on Friday (January 17, 2026).

He murdered his friend Elena Vaneeva (37) in her room at Morjim on January 14 by slitting her neck with a knife, the Mandrem police station official said.

As per the complaint by Vaneeva’s landlady, the incident happened after 11 p.m., he added.

The accused later went to Arambol village, situated eight kilometers away, on January 15 evening to meet his friend Elena Kasthanova (37).

He tied her with rope-like material and later slit her neck, a Morjim police station official said. Both bodies were recovered on Friday (January 16), as per police.

Mr. Leonov was arrested by Mandrem police and further probe into the double murders is underway.

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 cause for the crime.

According to police, accused Alexei 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.

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

Police said the investigation is in the preliminary stage and they are collecting 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 restriction) 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.

Russian national Alexei Leonov was arrested for allegedly killing compatriots Elena Vaneeva and Elena Kasthanova in north Goa on January 14 and January 15 in Arambol and Morjim villages, a police official said on Friday.

He murdered his friend Elena Vaneeva (37) on her room at Morjim on January 14 by slitting her neck with a knife, the Mandrem police station official said.

As per the complaint by Vaneeva’s landlady, the incident happened after 11 PM, he added.

The accused later went to Arambol village, situated eight kilometers away, on January 15 evening to meet his friend Elena Kasthanova (37).

He tied her with rope-like material and later slit her neck, a Morjim police station official said.

Both bodies were recovered on Friday, as per police.

Leonov was arrested by Mandrem police and further probe into the double murders is underway.

In January 2026, Goa Police arrested a 37-year-old Russian national, Aleksei Leonov, for the brutal double murder of two female countrymen in the Pernem coastal belt.

Key Details of the Crimes

First Victim: On the night of January 14, 2026, Leonov reportedly killed Elena Vaneeva (37) in her rented room in Morjim. Her body was found with her throat slit following a complaint from her landlady.
Second Victim: On January 15, 2026, Leonov allegedly traveled to Arambol, where he murdered his live-in partner, Elena Kasthanova (37). Her body was discovered with her hands tied behind her back and her throat slit.
Discovery and Arrest: The crimes came to light on January 16, 2026, when the landlord in Arambol found Kasthanova’s body. Leonov was detained by Mandrem police in the early hours of Friday, January 17, after attempting to flee the scene when he saw officers.

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