Traveling Salesman Accused Of Killing 13 Pensioners

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: January 30, 2013 (Issue # 1744)

MOSCOW — A 32-year-old appliance salesman has been accused of murdering 13 elderly people in the Pskov and Rostov regions during a four-month period in late 2005, according to a statement posted on the Interior Ministry’s website on Tuesday.

The man would visit pensioners in their homes, peddling clothes irons, kettles, and other goods. Once inside, he would size up the occupant’s wealth and slay the poorer ones, police said.

Victims of the killing spree, which took place from September to December 2005, were 70 years or older and lived alone, police said.

Authorities are now determining whether the man, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence for assault, was involved in similar crimes carried out between 2004 and 2005.