Goa, January 18, 2026:
What began as a single murder investigation in Goa has taken a disturbing turn, with police now probing the possibility of multiple killings after a Russian tourist allegedly confessed to murdering more than one woman. The accused, identified as Aleksei Leonov, 37, was arrested on Friday for the brutal killing of his live-in partner, but subsequent interrogation has opened up a far wider and more alarming criminal trail.

The case first came to light earlier this week in Arambol, a popular coastal village in north Goa known for attracting foreign tourists and long-term visitors. On Thursday, the landlord of a rented room made a grim discovery when he found the body of 37-year-old Elena Kasthanova, a Russian national, inside the premises. According to police, her arms were tied behind her back and her throat had been slit, indicating a violent and deliberate act.

Kasthanova had been living with Leonov, who was taken into custody on Friday after preliminary investigations pointed towards him. At the time of his arrest, police believed they were dealing with a single homicide involving a domestic dispute. However, during questioning, Leonov allegedly made statements that radically changed the scope of the investigation.

A second body, a darker trail

During interrogation, Leonov reportedly confessed to killing another woman and offered to show police where the body was located. Acting on this information, investigators were led to Morjim village, also in north Goa, where they recovered the body of 37-year-old Elena Vaneeva, another Russian national.

Police suspect that Vaneeva was killed on the night of January 14, just a day before Kasthanova’s body was discovered. While forensic examinations are still underway, investigators believe the two murders may be linked, either by motive, method, or timeline.

A senior Goa police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the accused’s statements had significantly expanded the investigation. “During interrogation, he said that the two women who were found dead were not the only ones he had killed. We are verifying his claims and will act based on the evidence we find,” the officer told Hindustan Times.

Claim of a third victim

After allegedly confessing to the second murder, Leonov made an even more chilling claim — that he had killed a third woman, described as a 40-year-old from Assam. According to police sources, the accused claimed that this woman was killed after being drugged.

Leonov reportedly led investigators to Korgao village, where he said the third killing took place. Police are now attempting to corroborate his statement with existing records and have zeroed in on a suspected overdose case reported on January 14 at the Pernem Community Health Centre in north Goa.

At that time, the case was reportedly treated as a possible medical emergency or accidental overdose. Investigators are now re-examining it to determine whether it could be connected to Leonov’s claims. Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the woman or established whether her death was indeed a homicide.

Police urge caution

Despite the shocking nature of Leonov’s alleged confessions, Goa police have stressed that they are proceeding cautiously and are not taking every claim at face value. Investigators have indicated that the accused may be under the influence of psychotropic substances, which could affect the reliability of his statements.

“While his claims are serious and cannot be ignored, we are verifying each statement independently,” a police official said. “At this stage, evidence will determine the course of the investigation.”

Medical and psychological evaluations of the accused are also likely to play a key role in the coming days, as authorities seek to understand his mental state at the time of the alleged crimes and during interrogation.

A case that has shaken Goa

The unfolding investigation has sent shockwaves through Goa, particularly in the northern coastal belt where all the incidents are believed to have occurred. Arambol and Morjim are popular with foreign tourists, digital nomads, and long-stay visitors, and the possibility of a serial offender operating in these areas has heightened anxiety among residents and visitors alike.

Locals have expressed concern over safety and the ease with which such crimes may have gone unnoticed. “These are usually quiet places where people know each other,” said a resident of Morjim. “The idea that something like this could happen multiple times without raising alarms is frightening.”

What remains unclear

Several critical questions remain unanswered. Investigators are still trying to establish the exact relationship, if any, between the three women Leonov has mentioned. It is also unclear whether the killings followed a similar pattern or motive, or whether they were crimes of opportunity.

Forensic reports from both confirmed crime scenes, call detail records, CCTV footage, and digital evidence from the accused’s devices are expected to play a crucial role in piecing together the timeline. Police are also working closely with the Russian consulate and other agencies to verify the identities and backgrounds of the victims.

At present, Leonov remains in police custody, and officials have not ruled out the possibility that more victims could emerge as the investigation progresses. However, they have emphasised that no conclusions will be drawn without solid evidence.

A developing investigation

What began as a single murder case has now evolved into one of the most disturbing criminal investigations Goa has seen in recent years. As police continue to verify the accused’s claims and re-examine past incidents, the case underscores the complexities of investigating crimes involving foreign nationals, transient populations, and potential substance abuse.

For now, authorities are urging the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to run its course. With multiple agencies involved and several leads being pursued, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether Leonov’s chilling confession points to a broader pattern of violence — or whether some of his claims unravel under scrutiny.