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Izhora John Doe was a man found dead on the banks of the Izhora River in Russia's Leningrad Oblast.
The man was found next to a woman who Russian authorities believe to be his wife based on the discovery of a child found in 2021, who was a blood relative of the two. The family was killed by an unknown serial killer dubbed the "Izhora Maniac". Although not biologically related to the three, a man killed in April was also believed to be a victim of the same killer.
Case[]
On August 27, 2008, the body of a man was found on the banks of the Izhora River, wrapped in cloth bags and blankets, which were tied together with duct tape and ropes. The body of a woman was found next to the decedent disposed of in an identical manner; both decedents had died from multiple stab wounds.
Police attempted to search for witnesses and other evidence, but did not find anything. The police also entered their DNA into the Russian database, but they were unsuccessful in identifying them. An autopsy was conducted on both bodies, which revealed that the two were likely parents. The case went cold due to a lack of leads.
On October 9, 2021, the skeletal remains of a child were found in the Izhora River. Blood and DNA tests later revealed that the child was a blood relative of the decedent and the woman, leading investigators to conclude they were likely husband and wife.
Police looked into all cases of missing couples with children reported in Russia since 2007, but despite their efforts, no leads were discovered. It is speculated that the family either lived a marginal lifestyle or were foreign to Russia, and they were later said to be murdered by a killer dubbed the 'Izhora Maniac'.
The Russian authorities further linked the family's death to that of a man found dead in April 2008, in the same river.
Characteristics[]
- Was missing part of stomach due to a surgical operation.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Black knitted sweater with the inscription 'Kervan' written in Latin script, size 48-50.
- Dark blue trousers with bright blue stripes.
- Dark gray trousers with the inscription 'Dims' written in the Latin script.
- Red T-shirt with the inscription 'CAT Cactos raising' written in Latin script.
- Dark blue shorts.
- Dark grey socks with a pattern of the sign of the Zodiac-Sagittarius and the inscription 'Sagittarius'.
Sources[]
- Ren tv (Russian)
- Ria (Russian)
- Tosno-vestnik (Russian)
- 'Russian Investigative Committee:
- Article #1 (Russian)
- Article #2 (21/12/2021) (Russian)