Estonian man told probation officer of murder-suicide plan three days before deadly crash
On 30 October in Tartu, Estonia, 39-year-old Tarmo Otsing stabbed his former partner and hours later caused a head-on crash that killed him and another driver. Three days earlier he had told his probation officer about his plan, but police were not informed.
In Estonia, 39-year-old Tarmo Otsing attacked his former partner with a knife in the city of Tartu on the morning of 30 October. A few hours later he deliberately crashed his car head-on into an oncoming vehicle, killing himself and the other driver. According to the Estonian outlet Postimees.ee, three days earlier he had told his probation officer, who supervises convicted offenders, that he planned to kill the woman and then take his own life. The case has prompted authorities to review how victims of violence can be better protected.
Months of violence
The first incidents recorded in police documents date to April 2025, when the woman reported threats and physical violence. In July the man attacked her with a knife, causing injuries that required medical care, and criminal proceedings were opened. In September a court approved a plea agreement giving him a suspended prison sentence and probation supervision. He was ordered to see a psychiatrist and receive treatment if necessary. No alcohol ban was imposed, and the woman did not want to request a restraining order. Although the couple had split up, they began living together again.
In October police received repeated calls because he stalked the woman, turned up at her home, phoned and messaged her, and behaved threateningly. Officers spoke with him several times, but nothing changed.
The probation officer did not notify police because the man was calm during the conversation and went to seek psychiatric help. At the clinic he calmed down and denied any such intentions, so he was not kept in hospital. The day before the tragedy he had driven off the road; police checked his alcohol level, but it was below the threshold for detention for drunk driving.
The morning of the tragedy
Around six in the morning, police were told that a man had attacked his former partner with a knife in Tartu's Annelinn district and hit her on the head. Witnesses said he chased the woman and stabbed her several times, shouting: “You destroyed my life, now I will destroy yours!” She was taken to hospital with several stab wounds.
Otsing fled in a Honda. Police spotted him near Nio and tried to stop him, but he sped up, drove into the opposing lane at a junction and collided head-on with a Kia Ceed. The Kia's 54-year-old driver also died.
Investigation findings
A forensic psychiatric examination found Otsing to be sane. Investigators concluded he intended to kill both his former partner and the oncoming driver. The criminal case was closed after his death. He had long abused alcohol, medication and drugs and had refused treatment.
Andrus Reimaa, head of the Tartu police department, said several agencies are reviewing system shortcomings, and stressed the importance of timely action and cooperation.
