Mikhail Popkov's Email & Phone Number

📖 Summary

Mikhail Popkov, also known as "The Werewolf" and "The Angarsk Maniac," was a former Russian police officer who terrorized the Siberian city of Angarsk for over two decades. Born on March 7, 1964, Popkov carried out a reign of terror from 1992 to 2012, raping and murdering at least 83 women. His heinous crimes earned him the title of one of Russia's most prolific serial killers, rapists, and necrophiles.

Popkov's deadly spree began in 1992 when he committed his first known murder. His victims were mostly young women who were targeted while walking alone at night. Popkov, using his status as a police officer, lured his victims into his car, claiming that he was giving them a ride home or offering them a ride to a safe place. Once in his vehicle, Popkov would go on to rape and murder the women, often mutilating their bodies after the act. In some cases, he would then dump the bodies in the woods, leaving them to be discovered days or weeks later.

The investigation into these brutal crimes proved to be challenging, as there were no witnesses and the victims seemed to have no connection to each other. The local authorities were at a loss as they struggled to find any leads in the case. Popkov's position as a police officer allowed him to evade suspicion and continue his killing spree without being caught.

It wasn't until 2012 that a break in the case finally came when advances in DNA technology led to a breakthrough. The investigation uncovered a match between Popkov's DNA and evidence collected from the crime scenes, leading to his arrest. In December of 2012, Mikhail Popkov was formally charged with 24 counts of murder and 12 counts of rape, marking the beginning of the end for the notorious serial killer.

During his trial, Popkov admitted to the majority of the murders but claimed that he was on a mission to "cleanse" the city of "immoral" women who drank alcohol and engaged in extramarital affairs. He showed no remorse for his actions and displayed a chilling level of detachment from the suffering he had caused. In 2015, Popkov was convicted of 22 murders and sentenced to life in prison. However, investigation into his crimes continued, and in 2018, he was convicted of an additional 56 murders and two attempted murders, bringing the total number of his known victims to 83. This made him one of the most prolific serial killers in Russian history.

Mikhail Popkov's case shocked the nation and shed light on the failings of the Russian justice system and law enforcement agencies. His ability to evade capture for over two decades while working as a police officer raised serious concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability within the force. The case also highlighted the endemic issue of violence against women in Russia and the challenges victims face in seeking justice and protection.

The legacy of Mikhail Popkov is a grim reminder of the darkness that can exist within the human psyche and the devastating impact it can have on innocent lives. His unprecedented killing spree has left a scar on the community of Angarsk and serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of vigilance and accountability within law enforcement. Popkov's name continues to evoke fear and horror, as his crimes will forever be etched in the history of Russia as a chilling reminder of the capacity for evil that lurks in the shadows.