Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ekaterina Karaglanova: Man ‘confesses’ to murdering Instagram influencer who was found dead in suitcase

Suspect says he stabbed woman 'five times in neck and chest' in police video

Conrad Duncan
Thursday 01 August 2019 17:41 BST
Comments
Man 'confesses' to murder of Russian Instagram influencer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A man has confessed to the murder of an Instagram influencer whose body was found in a suitcase, Russian police have said.

Ekaterina Karaglanova, who had recently graduated as a doctor, was found dead by her parents in her rented apartment in Moscow last week.

They had become concerned after the 24-year-old who had more than 85,000 followers on Instagram, had not contacted them for several days.

Prosecutors have now released a video in which Maxim Gareyev confesses to stabbing her "at least five times in the neck and chest".

It is not clear whether the 33-year-old had a lawyer present when the video was recorded or under what circumstances the confession was obtained.

He can be seen claiming that Ms Karaglanova had insulted his “sexual dignity” and “financial capabilities”, before later saying that he regretted the murder and would co-operate with the investigation.

Mr Gareyev admitted in court to having debts of 8 million rubles (£103,500) but denied that the murder had been because of money, newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda reported. He claimed he had only seen Ms Karglanova once before the murder, which he said was "spontaneous".

Investigators previously said CCTV footage had captured a man entering the block of flats where she lived. They said his face was hidden by a cap.

Ms Karglanova had recently started a new relationship and planned to travel to the Netherlands for her birthday shortly before her death, according to a separate report in the Moskovsky Komsomolets.

Police said there was no evidence of a struggle at the apartment and no murder weapon was found at the scene.

Ms Karglanova was a prominent Instagram personality in Russia and regularly posted videos of her travels around Europe.

She also ran a popular travel blog which had thousands of subscribers.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in