A young woman from Moscow was admitted to hospital with a head injury after an incident that was initially attributed to a falling mirror. Later, investigators and family members raised concerns that the injuries occurred during an assault by a man who was involved with the victim at the time. The case drew attention to the different narratives surrounding what happened and who might be responsible.
The 28-year-old woman reportedly remained in a coma for about two months following the head trauma. Her partner initially told medical staff that a mirror had struck her head, an account that later appeared to be contradicted by other statements and observations from those close to her. In mid-February, she stopped responding to her mother’s messages and phone calls, prompting family members to seek updates on her condition through her boyfriend, Zelimkhan, who later claimed that the woman had developed a fever.
A few days after that, the roommate of the victim was pressed into a video call by the mother in an attempt to obtain information. The roommate reported that the patient could not answer questions about her own state; her gaze occasionally wandered, and she appeared unable to fully comprehend her surroundings. Concern grew as the family sought clarity about the events that led to the injury.
The mother then contacted emergency services, and Zelimkhan’s explanations about the incident came under scrutiny as the family pressed for a clearer account. Medical staff performed an emergency trepanation to relieve brain pressure caused by the severe bruise and other intracranial injuries. Following the operation, the woman remained unconscious for a period, but gradually regained some awareness by late March. She later indicated that Zelimkhan had assaulted her in February, and continued abuse was described over a substantial period. Reports claim that authorities did not respond promptly to the victim’s statements, despite receiving information from emergency responders.
Additional details emerged suggesting that, while the victim was in a coma, the person responsible resided in her home and used the victim’s financial resources without consent. This raised questions about the level of access and control the alleged perpetrator had during the period of injury and recovery.
As the investigation continued, Zelimkhan remained at large, with authorities unable to locate him at the victim’s residence. Searches and inquiries were conducted to determine his whereabouts and to verify the allegations surrounding the assault and its impact on the victim’s health and safety.
On a separate note, a related incident occurred on March 29 in a northern Moscow apartment, where a 24-year-old woman was found deceased with strong indicators of death suggesting a life that had already ended. She had been living with her deceased partner, a detail that added to the concerns about safety and the potential for related harms within intimate relationships in the area.