Panaji, January 18, 2026: Goa police have stated that they have not yet confirmed Russian national Aleksei Leonov’s claims of involvement in additional murders, beyond the two killings for which he has already been arrested. Leonov, 37, was taken into custody early on Friday in connection with the murders of two Russian women in Goa, but during interrogation, he reportedly claimed responsibility for three other deaths, including two Russian women and a 40-year-old woman from Assam.

Authorities are proceeding cautiously, suggesting that Leonov might be exaggerating his claims or attempting to mislead investigators. In an official statement on Sunday, Goa police said:

“If the investigation reveals any new, confirmed facts apart from the murder of the two foreign nationals, we will officially communicate the development.”

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Details of Confirmed Murders

Leonov’s arrest followed the killing of Elena Kashtanova, 37, his live-in partner and a go-go and fire dancer. She was found dead in her rented accommodation in Arambol village, North Goa, a locality popular with foreigners. During police questioning, Leonov admitted to also killing Elena Vaneeva, a bubble artist, the previous night.

According to the police, Leonov was a close acquaintance of both victims, and the murders were reportedly motivated by monetary disputes. Investigators have recovered the weapon used in both killings, which provides critical evidence linking him to the crimes.

As both victims were Russian nationals, the Russian Embassy has been informed, and post-mortem examinations are awaiting necessary embassy approvals.

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Claims of Additional Murders

During interrogation, Leonov claimed involvement in multiple other murders, including:

• Two additional Russian women, one allegedly in Goa, while the other could not yet be linked.
• A 40-year-old woman from Assam, who died on January 14 from suspected drug overdose.

Police are yet to verify these claims. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether Leonov’s confessions to the additional killings have any factual basis, or if he is fabricating stories to exaggerate his criminal profile.

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Circumstances of the Murders

The murder of Elena Kashtanova was reported after a landlord noticed her body at 9:15 pm on Thursday. Neighbors had heard her screams and attempted to intervene, during which Leonov escaped by jumping from the first floor.

Both victims—Kashtanova and Vaneeva—were found with their throats slit, a detail that has intensified police efforts to establish motive and link Leonov to any other possible cases.

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Background on Aleksei Leonov

Leonov has been residing in Goa since 2023 on a long-term visa, living in Arambol village, which is well-known for its expatriate and tourist population. His presence in the region and close connections with the victims have raised questions about his movements and possible involvement in other crimes.

Authorities continue to interrogate Leonov and cross-check his statements with ongoing investigations into other suspicious deaths, particularly those of foreign nationals in Goa. Police sources emphasize that no additional charges have been confirmed yet, and all claims are under verification.

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Next Steps

Goa police are expected to:

• Complete post-mortem examinations for Kashtanova and Vaneeva.
• Investigate Leonov’s claims regarding the alleged deaths of the two other Russian women and the woman from Assam.
• Verify his travel history and residency patterns in Goa to ascertain any potential links to other unsolved cases.

Officials caution the public against drawing conclusions from Leonov’s statements alone, stressing that the ongoing investigation will determine the facts.

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The case has sparked concern over the safety of foreigners living in Goa, and authorities are reportedly reviewing local security measures in Arambol and other areas popular with expatriates.