On September 22, 1998, a friend of the Pokhilko family called their home but no one answered the phone. After several failed attempts, the friend went to the house to check on the family, and he was met with a gruesome sight. Emergency responders were immediately called, but it was too late. Vladimir, 44; Elena, 38; and Peter, 12 were all declared dead at the scene, according to The Cinemaholic. Elena and Peter were stabbed and bludgeoned to death on their beds, and Vladimir’s body was found right by his son’s bed. He had a slash on his throat and was holding a hunting knife in his hand, per Palo Alto Online. A note in Vladimir’s handwriting was also found, which read, “I’ve been eaten alive. Vladimir. Just remember that I am exist. The davil (sic).”
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Investigators studied the crime scene and initially, they looked into the possibility that an intruder had been responsible for the murders. However, they were later convinced that Vladimir murdered his wife and son before killing himself. A lieutenant working on the case said, “There is no evidence to point us in any other direction,” per SF Gate.
