A convicted serial killer has sent shockwaves through the justice system with a horrifying courtroom confession, admitting to murdering more than 300 girls and women in a killing spree that spanned decades.
Mikhail Popkov, known as "The Werewolf" and "The Angarsk Maniac," calmly detailed his gruesome crimes during his latest trial, revealing how he specifically targeted vulnerable women and disposed of their bodies in remote locations.
The Chilling Collection
In what may be one of the most disturbing revelations in criminal history, Popkov admitted to keeping the skulls of his victims as macabre trophies. The former police officer turned killer described how he would return to burial sites to dig up the remains of those he had murdered.
"I would go back and dig them up," Popkov stated matter-of-factly during proceedings. "I kept their skulls."
A Killer's Double Life
What makes Popkov's case particularly disturbing is his background as a law enforcement officer. While serving as a police officer in the Angarsk region, he was simultaneously hunting victims under the cover of darkness.
His modus operandi involved posing as a taxi driver or police officer to gain the trust of his victims, predominantly targeting women he considered to be of "loose morals."
The Investigation That Unravelled a Monster
Russian authorities first connected Popkov to the murders through DNA evidence in 2012. Since his initial arrest, the full scale of his crimes has gradually emerged through multiple trials and investigations.
Forensic experts and investigators have spent years piecing together his killing spree, which they believe may have begun as early as 1992. The true number of victims may never be known, with some estimates suggesting the death toll could be even higher.
Justice Served
Popkov has already been convicted of multiple murders in previous trials and is currently serving multiple life sentences. This latest confession comes as he faces additional charges, with prosecutors seeking further convictions.
The case has prompted widespread discussion about serial killer profiling and the challenges of detecting offenders who operate within law enforcement systems.
