The case of the Velikiye Luki disappearances: decades-long investigation and reward updates
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Russia has raised the reward for information related to the disappearance of three boys in Velikiye Luki, located in the Pskov region, about twenty years ago. The announcement was reported by RIA Novosti and confirmed by law enforcement officials who have continued the investigation over many years.
The incident traces back to January 2007 when a stranger approached the three ten-year-old boys as they were walking home from school. The stranger introduced himself as a Moscow director seeking actors for a film about space and invited the children to participate in a screen test he claimed would be conducted for the project.
Two of the boys accepted the invitation, while the third declined due to a commitment at his music school. After that moment, authorities have not received reliable updates on the boys’ whereabouts, and a criminal case on kidnapping was opened as the investigation unfolded.
In response to the case, law enforcement offered a reward of 400,000 rubles for information leading to the missing children. As time passed, investigators persisted in tracing any possible leads, reviewing interviews, surveillance footage, and various tips from the public.
More than 17 years later, the search continues with renewed emphasis and persistence. A recent decision increased the reward for information about the missing youths to two million rubles in hopes of eliciting actionable tips from witnesses or individuals with knowledge about the case.
The Velikiye Luki case remains a priority under provincial and national law enforcement efforts. Authorities emphasize that any information, even if it seems insignificant, could prove crucial in understanding what happened and bringing closure to families affected by the disappearances.
In related news, there have been other missing-person reports in the broader region, including cases in the Samara area. Officials note the patterns of concern and the ongoing commitment to solving cases involving minors and safeguarding public safety. The investigation continues with cooperation from local authorities, investigators, and the public, who are encouraged to share information that might assist investigators in pinpointing the events of that January in 2007 and the subsequent years.
At this stage, no new public updates are available, but the authorities underscore the importance of the community’s vigilance and the role of tips in moving the case forward. The story remains a stark reminder of the long arc that some missing-person investigations can take and the enduring impact on families and communities.