Panaji, Jan 17: North Goa police have arrested a 37-year-old Russian man, identified as Alexey (Aleksei) Leonov, in connection with the alleged killings of two Russian women.


Leonov’s girlfriend, Elena Kastanova (37), was found dead in Arambol on Jan 15, a day after he allegedly killed Elena Vaneeva (37) in Morjim.


According to police reports, the incidents occurred in different parts of North Goa, raising alarm among the local community and the Russian expatriate population.


Leonov's girlfriend, Elena Kastanova, was found dead at their rented house in Arambol on Thursday night after the couple had an argument at the house.


The landlord, Uttam Naik, found the body and alerted the Goa Police, who quickly arrested Leonov. A case has been registered under case number 05.26 and sections 126(2) and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).


Police further revealed that Leonov killed another Russian woman, Elena Vaneeva (37), the day before in Morjim. On January 14, he allegedly slit Vaneeva's neck with a knife in her room. The incident reportedly occurred after 11 pm, following a dispute, based on a complaint filed by Vaneeva's landlady.


After the first killing, Leonov allegedly travelled to Arambhol, about eight kilometers away, on the evening of January 15 to meet Kastanova, where he committed the second murder.


Mandrem police are still looking into both cases to learn more about the reason behind the crime.


Authorities say both crimes stemmed from personal disputes that escalated fatally.


(Compiled By: Aditi Majhi)