The search for two missing Russian siblings living in Thailand has come to a devastating end after police found their bodies in a shallow grave.
Diana Nazimova, 22, and her brother, Roman Nazimov, 17, had been living with their mother Zarina in a housing estate in the tourist hotspot of Pattaya since 2021.
It’s believed the siblings wanted to get something from the local 24-hour convenience store and so hopped on their motorbike in the dark early on July 26.
Zarina had lived in the hotspot dubbed ‘Sin City’ since 2018, and her children joined her three years later, making it unlikely the siblings got lost given their familiarity with the area.
Three days after they went missing, police made a chilling breakthrough when they found their motorbike – a black-and-grey Honda ADV 150 – disassembled and buried in the grounds of an old cemetery at Thung Luang, near Najomtien-Map Ta Phut Motorway.
Local media reported that a search and rescue team involving hundreds of officers and local residents conducted extensive ground searches with the assistance of sniffer dogs, but there was no sign of the siblings.
Later, two men were arrested after they reportedly confessed to killing the pair and burying their bodies in a grave one meter deep in a remote area in Chon Buri – about an hour from Pattaya, police said on Friday.
Former prisoner Thana Kerdthong, 43, nicknamed “Pong,” and Thongchai Srinil, 39, nicknamed “Thong,” were arrested while hiding in an orchard in Wang Sombun district of Sa Kaeo province following a multi-province manhunt.
The suspects were wanted by Pattaya Provincial Court on charges of night-time vehicle theft and receiving stolen goods. They allegedly confessed to killing the siblings with the intention of stealing their motorbike after posing as police officers.
Thong reportedly told police he was sitting on the back of a motorbike driven by Pong on Sunday morning as they followed the Russian siblings.
After pulling up on the side of the road, Pong got off and spoke with the victims.
Thong said he did not know what was discussed, but shortly afterwards he heard two gunshots.
Thong claimed that after the shooting, Pong ordered him to fetch a spade and dig a hole, threatening him by saying: “If you don’t do it, you should know what could happen to your wife and your family,” according to the Bangkok Post.
Pong, who has a history of serious violence, lived close to where the motorbike was found and had only recently been released from jail after serving a seven-year sentence for attempted murder.
Thong, who said he was under the influence of drugs and ‘not thinking clearly, felt he had no choice but to comply, according to the outlet.
Pong reportedly admitted he shot Roman and fatally beat Diana.
“The woman fought back, so I punched her,” local publication Thai Rath Online quoted him as saying.
Thong told police he would be able to lead investigators to the burial site near Khao Chi Chan, close to where motorcycle parts linked to the victims had earlier been found.
Diana’s body showed signs of assault, with Pong insisting there was no sexual assault, adding the motive was to steal the victims’ bike.
Roman was found with two gunshot wounds – one in the abdomen and one in the head, according to the outlet.
Police said after the suspects buried the bodies they fled Chon Buri but were later tracked through Chanthaburi and eventually located in Sa Kaeo.
The mother of the siblings has since spoken out – and according to local media, she believes that her children stopped their motorcycle on motorway 7 Huai Yai, thinking they were being pulled over by police officers.
She said she believes her son was trying to protect his sister before he was put in handcuffs, the Samui Times reported.
She has publicly given thanks for all the support she has received. When asked her thoughts on punishment for the suspects, she stated that long prison sentences would be a greater punishment than the death penalty.
In a shocking twist, the men also reportedly confessed to killing a Thai family after three bodies were found in a coconut grove about 2km from where the Russian siblings were found.
Parents Wichian and Chantana, along with their 18-year-old daughter Nichapha, had been bound and shot.
Pong and Thong reportedly also as police officers to enter the family’s home.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the alleged acts to be “brutally cruel.”
“It’s not just about killing foreigners or murdering three fellow Thais, it’s killing every Thai in the country, destroying the trust we’re trying to build with the international community,” Mr Charnvirakil told the Thai Enquirer.
