In this ongoing case, authorities from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation report that a formal inquiry is being conducted by the St. Petersburg department. The focus is on understanding how two school-aged children disappeared after a day spent outdoors. The inquiry was initiated at the request of the children’s parents, who sought answers and accountability in a distressing set of events. The press office has been providing updates to the public to ensure transparency while investigations proceed.
Witnesses and family statements indicate that the two youths went out for a walk together the day before they did not return home. The circumstances surrounding their absence prompted officials to file a criminal case for the disappearance, and authorities have pursued every avenue to locate the children and determine what happened. The community remains hopeful that the case will yield a clear timeline and responsible conclusions as investigators gather evidence.
Early on a morning in March, responders located the bodies of an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old near the Gulf of Finland, close to Vasilyevsky Island. Initial observations did not reveal obvious signs of violent trauma, which has directed investigators to conduct careful forensic testing to establish a precise cause of death. The discovery has prompted a wide range of procedural steps, including a careful review of surrounding conditions and potential environmental factors at the time the boys vanished.
There are accounts that one of the victims carried roller skates, which adds a possible context to how events unfolded. It is possible that the children entered frozen waters, or moved across thin ice, and faced difficulties in extricating themselves. Investigators are weighing these details as part of the broader assessment of risk factors present at the site and during the period leading up to the tragedy.
At present, investigators are engaging with witnesses and collecting testimony from people who may have seen the children or noticed their absence earlier. Forensic experts have been appointed to determine the precise circumstances and cause of death, and the process is expected to provide a clearer picture for the families and the broader community. The investigation continues with the aim of establishing a factual sequence of events and ensuring that any safety gaps are understood and addressed.
News reports indicate that the 11-year-old was found in a shallow pit on Vasilyevsky Island a number of hours after the 8-year-old was recovered from the same vicinity. This sequence of discoveries is being reviewed by investigators as part of the overall case assessment, and authorities are pursuing a comprehensive examination to uncover critical details that may explain the chain of events. The work is being coordinated across investigative units to ensure consistency and thoroughness in the inquiry, with final findings anticipated after the forensic analysis is concluded. (Source: press office updates)