Viktor Karamarkov
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Skopje serial killer"
Viktor Karamarkov | |
|---|---|
 Mugshot picture | |
| Born | 1981 (age 44–45) |
| Other names | "The Macedonian Raskolnikov" "The Skopje serial killer" |
| Convictions | Murder x4 Attempted murder x2 |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Victims | 4 |
Span of crimes | March – October 2009 |
| Country | North Macedonia |
| State | Skopje |
Date apprehended | October 27, 2009 |
| Imprisoned at | Kolonija Idrizovo |
Viktor Karamarkov (born 1981), known as The Macedonian Raskolnikov, is a Macedonian serial killer who murdered four elderly women in the nation's capital from March to October 2009. Additionally responsible for numerous thefts and three attempted murders, he was sentenced to life imprisonment,[1] and is currently incarcerated in Kolonija Idrizovo.[2]
Born in the Gjorče Petrov neighbourhood, Karamarkov grew up with his mentally unstable mother,[3] as his father had died when he was young. Although described as a loner, Karamarkov was regarded as a highly intelligent boy who finished his primary education with an excellent grade, and was very respectful of the elderly.[4] He was also heavily indulged in various Russian literature, especially Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, identifying himself with the novel's main character, impoverished ex-student Rodion Raskolnikov.[3] However, Karamarkov was also a known delinquent and drug addict, who frequently engaged in various thefts.[5]
Murders
Taking inspiration from his favourite book, Karamarkov would search for vulnerable, older ladies to commit his murders. When he found a suitable victim, he would ring the doorbell and ask them for money, on the pretence that it was for his ailing mother.[3] After entering the apartment, Karamarkov would take out a small axe wrapped in a newspaper and tape and kill the unsuspecting victim. After killing the victim he would steal any gold jewelry found in the apartment in order to supply his drug habit.[1] After each killing, he would visit the "St. Peter and Paul" Church in Gjorče Petrov, and ask for forgiveness.[4]
Victims
- Ljubica Hristovska (83) – Killed at her home in Butel, from a sustained head injury. When first investigated, police suspected that the killer was either from the family or the neighbourhood due to the fact there were no signs of a struggle, nothing appeared to have been disturbed and the door had been locked from the inside.[5]
- Bosilka Krasojevič (71) – Killed on 15 October. She was attacked in her home on "October Revolution" Street, and later died from her injuries. Authorities noted that this killing was very similar to Hristovska's murder.[5]
- Vera Bogoevska (76) – Killed on the same day as Krasojevič. She was attacked in her home on "Franco Cluz" Street, and later died from her injuries.[5]
- Elena Mileva (69) – Killed on 26 October, in her home on "Ho Chi Minh" Street. Karamarkov was arrested for theft shortly after her murder.[5]
Attempted murders
- Marija Atanasovska (79) – A resident of Kapishtec, Atanasovska was assaulted by Karamarkov in an elevator, sustaining head injuries. While Atanasovska lay bleeding to death, he attempted to leave the scene but was surprised by the victim's son-in-law, who was waiting for her at the exit. The son-in-law, confused after seeing blood in the elevator, asked Karamarkov as he was exiting what happened to the victim. Karamarkov explained that she had injured herself, and helped the son-in-law get her out of the elevator, before promptly fleeing the scene.[5]
- Smilja Petrovska (73) – Attacked on 21 October. She was able to fight off her attacker near her "Railway Street" home.[5]
- Sanie Sulejmani (42) – Sulejmani, a hygienist,[1] was attacked on the same day as Petrovska. Sulejmani managed to fight off Karamarkov at her home in Mavrovka Shopping Centre.[5]