Russian authorities arrested a 31-year-old mother on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, after the severed head of her six-year-old son was discovered in a backpack at Golyanovsky Pond in Moscow. The grim discovery, made by pond workers on Sunday, Nov. 16, has shocked the nation and raised questions about the circumstances that led to the child’s death.
Elena Tsukanova, a trained teacher who studied at Sholokhov Moscow State University for the Humanities, confessed to killing her son but was unable to explain her motives to investigators. The Russian Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes in the country, confirmed the arrest and murder charges against Tsukanova following the discovery of additional body parts at her apartment in Balashikha, a town near Moscow. “The young boy’s body was later discovered in an apartment in the town of Balashikha,” the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
The investigation revealed disturbing details about the crime scene. Workers at the pond found the child’s head inside a backpack, which had been placed inside a red plastic bag before being discarded in the water. Divers conducted an extensive search of the pond but found no additional human remains. Crime scene experts later discovered the boy’s torso on the balcony of Tsukanova’s apartment, along with two knives that were recovered as evidence. Reports indicate that a jigsaw or hacksaw may have been used in the dismemberment.
The victim, identified in reports as either Miroslav or Miloslav, was disabled and could not walk unaided. He also had a nine-year-old sister who was found unharmed. The child’s grandmother had reported him missing, telling authorities he had left with his stepfather, though it was ultimately the mother who faced murder charges.
Investigators learned that Tsukanova had a history of psychiatric treatment and had developed unusual beliefs about herself. She believed she was a witch and claimed to possess supernatural powers. On social media, she described herself as a “conduit between worlds” and said she participated in “experiments with consciousness.” These statements have added another layer of complexity to understanding the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The boy’s father, who had ended his 10-year relationship with Tsukanova in June 2025 and left the family home, learned of his son’s death through a news bulletin. The breakup occurred just months before the killing, though investigators have not established a direct connection between the separation and the crime.
Alexander Bastyrkin, chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee, has taken a direct interest in the case. He ordered investigators in both the Moscow and Moscow region branches to report to him personally on the initial findings of the criminal probe, underscoring the severity of the case and the attention it has drawn from top law enforcement officials.
The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about child welfare and mental health support systems in Russia. When a parent with a documented psychiatric history and custody of vulnerable children exhibits concerning behavior, questions arise about what preventive measures might be available or effective. Mental health professionals often emphasize the importance of monitoring individuals with treatment histories, particularly when they are primary caregivers for dependent children.
Children with disabilities require specialized care and attention, making them particularly vulnerable when their caregivers face mental health challenges. The victim’s inability to walk unaided meant he was completely dependent on adult supervision and assistance, a factor that may have compounded his vulnerability in this situation.
The discovery process began when workers at Golyanovsky Pond, located approximately eight miles northwest of the Kremlin, found the suspicious package and immediately contacted police. Law enforcement launched a comprehensive investigation that led them to Tsukanova’s apartment in Balashikha, where they found the remaining body parts and gathered forensic evidence.
During Tsukanova’s interrogation, Russia’s Investigative Committee said, “she had admitted to disposing of parts of the boy’s body at the pond in Moscow.” The lack of stated motive has left authorities and the public searching for answers about what drove a mother to kill her disabled child.
The case continues as investigators work to build a complete picture of the events leading up to the child’s death. Russian law enforcement has charged Tsukanova with murder, and she remains in custody as the investigation proceeds. The surviving daughter is now in the care of other family members or authorities, though specific arrangements have not been publicly disclosed.
This incident represents one of the most disturbing child homicide cases in recent Moscow history, particularly given the dismemberment and disposal of the victim’s remains. As the investigation continues, authorities will work to determine whether there were any missed warning signs or intervention opportunities that might have prevented this outcome.