Two Suspects Confess to Killing Two Russians Who Disappeared in Thailand

Thai police have detained two men believed to be linked to the disappearance of two Russian citizens in Pattaya, according to local newspaper Thairath. The suspects reportedly confessed to killing 22-year-old Diana Nazimova and her 17-year-old brother Roman.

The siblings' mother, Zarina Nazimova, reported them missing on July 26. She wrote on Instagram that her children were last seen leaving on a motorcycle around 4 a.m. and that all contact was lost afterward, with their phones switched off. The Telegram channel Baza, citing acquaintances, said the family had moved from Russia to Thailand five years earlier.

On the day before she vanished, Diana told her mother that her iPhone had detected an unknown Bluetooth tracking device nearby and that she felt as though someone was following her.

On July 29, Zarina said on social media that the motorcycle the children had ridden had been found. Thairath reported that it had been dismantled and buried in a cemetery.

Police initially detained two men, Hoi and Phang, on July 30 on suspicion of helping the abductors. Both denied involvement and were released hours later.

The following day, two more suspects were detained: 43-year-old Thanu and 39-year-old Thongchai. According to Thai outlet Khaosod, they confessed during questioning to killing the Russians. They said they had tried to steal the siblings' motorcycle, and when Diana and Roman resisted, they shot Roman and beat Diana, who later died. The men then disposed of the bodies and buried them in the mountains of Chonburi province.