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Russian national Aleksei 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 killed 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 to Arambol village, situated eight kilometres away, on January 15 evening to meet his friend Elena Kasthanova (37).
He tied her with rope-like material and later slit her throat, 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.
Published – January 17, 2026 10:17 am IST