Mikhail “Werewolf” Popkov, aged 61, has received an additional ten-year prison sentence after being convicted of killing two more women, bringing his confirmed victim total to a staggering 92. This ruling was handed down by an Irkutsk court, which found him guilty of the 2008 murders of two friends, both aged 27. Popkov, a former police officer, is already serving two life sentences plus an additional 19 years, making him one of the deadliest serial killers in history.
The recent convictions highlight the brutality of Popkov’s crimes. He primarily targeted women aged between 18 and 50, sexually assaulting most of his victims before murdering them with various weapons, including axes, hammers, and knives. The court revealed that the latest victims were strangled near the Angarsk Electromechanical Plant, and their bodies were later discovered in a forest off the M-53 highway, where Popkov was not immediately identified.
During a grim reenactment of the crime, Popkov confessed to the chilling details of the murders. He explained how he lured the women into his car, describing how he ensnared one victim before returning to kill the second in a similar manner. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, he expressed a desire to “get acquainted” with the women after they initially rejected him.
Background and Criminal History
Popkov’s criminal activities spanned nearly two decades, from 1992 to 2011, predominantly in Angarsk, Russia. Following his departure from the police force, he moved to Vladivostok, where he engaged in the resale of used Japanese vehicles while continuing his murderous spree. A married father, Popkov claimed he targeted women he deemed as “prostitutes,” asserting that they abandoned their families for a life of partying.
Psychiatrists have diagnosed him with homicidal mania, which is characterized by an irrational desire to kill. Despite this, he was found mentally competent to stand trial. Russia has maintained a moratorium on capital punishment since 1996, although discussions about reinstating the death penalty have emerged in recent years.
Popkov’s disturbing behavior is evident not only in his crimes but also in his personal life. Family videos from the 1990s show him wielding a knife and reciting unsettling rhymes about violence. He often offered women rides in his police car, taking them to secluded locations where he would commit his heinous acts. In court, he expressed a lack of clear recollection about the exact number of his victims, stating, “Committing the murders, I was guided by my inner convictions.”
Personal Motivations and Speculations
Some theories suggest that Popkov’s violent tendencies may have been motivated by personal issues, including an alleged affair between his wife, Elena, and a colleague. Alexey Mulyavin, the man involved, confirmed a brief relationship with Elena before Popkov began his killing spree. He indicated that Popkov had discovered signs of infidelity, which may have served as a catalyst for his actions.
Elena denied the allegations, asserting that friends had used their home for gatherings. Popkov reflected on his wife’s supposed betrayal, indicating that the emotional turmoil stemming from this situation could have influenced his violent behavior. “If I had seen the treason with my own eyes, I would perhaps have done everything differently,” he explained in court.
The gruesome details surrounding Mikhail Popkov’s crimes continue to shock the public. His extensive history of violence has prompted discussions about the need for stricter laws and enhanced psychological assessments for potential offenders. As he serves his extended sentence, the impact of his actions looms large over the communities he terrorized.
