February 4, 2026
St. Petersburg man arrested for murder of missing nine-year-old after days-long search
The body of a nine-year-old boy from St. Petersburg, who had been missing since late January, was found in a body of water in Russia’s Leningrad region after a suspect confessed to killing him, investigators said this week.
TL;DR
- A nine-year-old boy, Pavel Tifitulin, missing since January 30, was found deceased.
- Pyotr Zhilkin, 38, was arrested and confessed to the murder.
- Zhilkin allegedly lured Pavel into his car, promising a present and later money for sexual acts.
- The boy refused and demanded money to remain silent, leading to the murder.
- Zhilkin had prior convictions and was active in far-right online communities.
- Investigators are examining a computer seized from Zhilkin containing child sexual abuse material.
- The family had been classified as 'at risk' by social services.
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