Latest news with #Samsonova
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Granny Ripper' killed pal with a salad then boiled her head in cannibal murder
Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova was dubbed 'Grjsonnny Ripper' after a spate of gruesome crimes against up to 11 victims, including her husband and mother-in-law who vanished An elderly Russian woman earned the moniker 'Granny Ripper' following a string of vile acts perpetrated against as many as 11 people. Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova, known for poisoning her friend's salad with drugs, decapitating her and boiling her head, is linked to various other heinous deeds. Samsonova was born in 1947 in Uzhur and for the early part of her life appeared to follow an ordinary path. After completing her secondary education, she pursued higher studies at Moscow State Linguistic University, before relocating to St. Petersburg, where she wed Alexei Samsonov and spent 16 years employed by a travel agency. The year 2000 marked a peculiar twist when her spouse Alexei went missing, leading Samsonova to seek police help without success. He seemed to have disappeared without trace. In a curious turn of events, she reached out to the Fruzensky District investigative unit in St. Petersburg in 2015 to file a report about her husband's unexplained disappearance. However, 2015 also laid bare the gruesome reality behind Samsonova's deceptively serene exterior when someone happened upon the dismembered remains of her tenant. At the age of 68, Samsonova was filmed on CCTV late at night, disposing of unwieldy plastic bags from her apartment. Horrifically, she was also spotted holding a pot which allegedly contained the severed head of a human, reports the Mirror US. These dreadful discoveries were believed to be the pieces of Valentina Ulanova, 79, her boarder who faced a chilling end. The Russian Investigative Committee stated that Ulanova died "on the spot" after Samsonova spiked her salad with a lethal dose of over 50 sleep aids in July 2015 and then proceeded to mutilate her body. Samsonova journeyed to Pushkin and convinced a pharmacist to hand over phenazepam, which she slipped into Valentina's beloved Olivier salad. Not long after, Valentina's dismembered body was discovered wrapped in a shower curtain, discarded on the street. The investigation team released a statement: "Then, in order to conceal the committed crime, she dismembered the body of her victim and placed the parts in different places near the apartment block." Allegedly, Samsonova sawed apart her lodger due to "personal hostile relations" following a "conflict with her friend". It's believed she even boiled Valentina's head in a pot. In court, Samsonova's antics were unsettling as she blew kisses at reporters and admitted to killing Valentina. Yet, a chilling diary entry hints she might be responsible for up to 11 more deaths, including her vanished husband and mother-in-law. Her deteriorating health, uncooperative attitude, and absence of further remains meant no additional charges could be pursued. A source told The Sun: "We may never know the extent of this granny's killings." Back in 2015, upon her arrest, there were also claims that in 2003 she murdered her tenant Sergei Potanin. Sergei, a 44-year-old from Norilsk, met a grisly end as Samsonova is accused of chopping up his body and scattering it across the streets. Samsonova was under investigation for an astonishing 15 deaths when detectives stumbled upon a diary entry shockingly revealing, "killed my tenant Volodya, cut him to pieces in the bathroom with a knife and put the pieces of his body in plastic bags and threw them away in the different parts of Frunzensky District." It emerged that Samsonova had drawn dark inspiration from Andrei Chikatilo, a horrific serial killer responsible for nearly 50 murders between 1978 and 1990. A neighbour who knew her for over a decade recalled her obsession with Chikatilo, commenting, "She gathered information about him and how he committed his murders." During her court session for Valentina's murder, she expressed no remorse, stating to the judge: "I am guilty and I deserve to be punished." At 78-years-old, she even applauded and grinned at the decision to keep her detained. But in 2015, a forensic psychiatric evaluation flagged Samsonova as a menace both to the public and herself, resulting in her confinement to a special-care institution before a move to obligatory psychiatric care in Kazan. By 2017, she faced a life sentence in a mental health facility after the court concluded that her mental disorder exonerated her from culpability in Valentina's death.
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Daily Record
'Granny Ripper' accused of eating victims' organs and making stew from heads
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova, 74, from Russia, was jailed in 2017 An elderly Russian woman earned the moniker 'Granny Ripper' following a series of heinous crimes against as many as 11 individuals. Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova was found to have spiked her friend's salad with pills, decapitated her and boiled the head among other gruesome acts. Born in 1947 in Uzhur, Samsonova appeared to lead an ordinary life initially. She completed her secondary education and went on to study at Moscow State Linguistic University. Later, she relocated to St. Petersburg, married Alexei Samsonov, and spent 16 years working for a travel agency. In 2000, her husband disappeared, prompting Samsonova to report him missing to the police, but he seemed to have vanished without a trace. In 2015, she even approached the investigative unit of the Fruzensky District in St. Petersburg to provide a statement regarding her husband's mysterious disappearance. However, in 2015, her sinister nature was shockingly exposed when a passer-by discovered the dismembered remains of her tenant. The then 68-year-old Samsonova was captured on CCTV disposing of large plastic bags from her apartment under the cover of darkness, reports the Mirror US. Footage also showed her carrying a saucepan, which allegedly contained a human head. These were believed to be the remains of Valentina Ulanova, 79, her lodger, who suffered a horrific fate. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the victim died "on the spot" after Samsonova drugged her salad with over 50 sleeping pills in July 2015 before proceeding to dismember her body. Samsonova travelled to Pushkin and convinced a pharmacist to sell her phenazepam, a prescription drug, which she then mixed into Valentina's favourite Olivier salad. Days later, Valentina's remains were discovered wrapped in a shower curtain on the street. The investigators released a statement: "Then, in order to conceal the committed crime, she dismembered the body of her victim and placed the parts in different places near the apartment block." It is believed the woman gruesomely dismembered her lodger with a handsaw due to "personal hostile relations" after a "conflict with her friend". Reports also suggest she may have boiled Valentina's head in a pot. In court, Samsonova displayed odd behaviour, blowing kisses at journalists before admitting to Valentina's murder. A chilling diary entry hinted she might be responsible for up to 11 other deaths, including possibly her husband and mother-in-law, who both vanished without a trace. Her deteriorating health, uncooperative demeanour, and the absence of further human remains made it impractical to press additional charges against her. A report in The Sun included a source's comment: "We may never know the extent of this granny's killings." At the time of her arrest in 2015, allegations also surfaced in 2003 she murdered her tenant Sergei Potanin. Sergei, a 44-year-old from Norilsk, was allegedly killed by Samsonova, who is accused of dismembering his body and scattering it on the streets. Samsonova was under investigation for a total of 15 deaths when officers discovered a diary entry in which she wrote she "killed my tenant Volodya, cut him to pieces in the bathroom with a knife and put the pieces of his body in plastic bags and threw them away in the different parts of Frunzensky District." Reports suggested Samsonova drew inspiration from Andrei Chikatilo, a serial killer who amassed nearly 50 murders between 1978 and 1990. A neighbour, who had known her closely for 15 years, observed her obsession with Chikatilo, saying: "She gathered information about him and how he committed his murders." During her court hearing for Valentina's murder, Samsonova declared to the judge: "I am guilty and I deserve to be punished." The then 78 year old applauded and grinned upon learning she would be kept in detention. Nevertheless, a forensic psychiatric assessment in 2015 concluded Samsonova posed a threat to both society and herself, leading to her placement in a specialist facility before being transferred for mandatory psychiatric care at a specialist hospital in Kazan. In 2017, she received a life sentence in a mental health facility, with the judge determining her psychological condition exempted her from responsibility for Valentina's death.
Irish Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Granny Ripper who killed and ate her victims' organs in gruesome ritual
An elderly Russian woman gained the chilling nickname 'Granny Ripper' after committing a series of horrific crimes, with as many as 11 victims falling prey to her. Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova infamously spiked her friend's salad with pills, decapitated her, and boiled her head among other terrifying offences. Born in 1947 in Uzhur, Samsonova appeared to lead a conventional life initially. After completing high school she pursued higher education at Moscow State Linguistic University. A subsequent move to St. Petersburg saw her wed Alexei Samsonov and spend 16 years working in a travel agency. However, 2000 marked a mysterious chapter when her husband disappeared, prompting Samsonova to approach the police with no success in locating him. He had seemingly disappeared without a trace. Fast forward to 2015, she even reached out to the investigative department of Fruzensky District in St. Petersburg with information regarding his vanishing. But in a grisly twist that same year, the sinister facet of Samsonova was shockingly unveiled. A horrific discovery was made by a passerby - body parts of her dismembered renter strewn on the street, reports the Mirror US. Then 68, she was captured on CCTV in the dead of night removing hefty plastic bags from her home, one of which is purported to have contained the severed head of a human being. Tragically, it's believed that these mortal remains belonged to Valentina Ulanova, age 79, who was renting from Samsonova and met an alarming demise. Official reports from the Russian Investigative Committee indicate that in July 2015 Ulanova died "on the spot" following Samsonova's lethal concoction of over 50 sleeping pills in her salad, proceeding to then mutilate her body. Samsonova made her way to Pushkin and sweet-talked a pharmacist into selling her phenazepam, a prescription drug, which she slipped into Valentina's most-loved Olivier salad. Later on, the fragments of Valentina were discovered bundled up in a shower curtain in the street. Authorities said: "Then, in order to conceal the committed crime, she dismembered the body of her victim and placed the parts in different places near the apartment block." It was reported the woman brutally dismembered her lodger with a handsaw because of "personal hostile relations" sparked by a "conflict with her friend". Unsettling rumours also circulated that she had cooked Valentina's head by boiling it in a pot. In court, Samsonova's behaviour was erratic; she even went as far as to blow a kiss to members of the press before admitting to Valentina's murder. Nevertheless, the content of a chilling diary entry shook many, hinting she might have taken the lives of 11 more people, potentially including those of her husband and her mother-in-law, who both vanished without leaving a trace behind. Her frail health, uncooperative demeanour, and the absence of more human remains meant additional charges became an impossible task. The Sun quoted a source as saying: "We may never know the extent of this granny's killings." When she was arrested in 2015, there were rumours she had killed her tenant, Sergei Potanin, in 2003. Sergei, from Norilsk and aged 44 at his time of death. Samsonova is accused of cutting his body up and then distributing parts of it around the city streets. Samsonova was under investigation for a staggering 15 deaths when cops stumbled upon a diary entry where she chillingly confessed "killed my tenant Volodya, cut him to pieces in the bathroom with a knife and put the pieces of his body in plastic bags and threw them away in the different parts of Frunzensky District." It emerged Samsonova may have been inspired by Andrei Chikatilo's book, the notorious serial killer responsible for nearly 50 murders between 1978 and 1990. A neighbour who had been close to her for 15 years revealed her obsession with Chikatilo, said: "She gathered information about him and how he committed his murders." During her court hearing for the murder of Valentina, Samsonova admitted to the judge: "I am guilty and I deserve to be punished." At 78, Samsonova reacted to the news of her continued detention by clapping her hands and grinning broadly. Yet, a forensic psychiatric assessment in 2015 deemed Samsonova a threat to both society and herself, resulting in her confinement to a specialist facility before being transferred for mandatory psychiatric care at a dedicated hospital in Kazan. In 2017, she received a life sentence to a psychiatric ward, with the court deciding that her mental disorder exonerated her from culpability for Valentina's death.
Daily Tribune
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Swiatek reaches Wimbledon semis
Iga Swiatek said she had 'goosebumps' after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time in her illustrious career with a 6-2, 7-5 win against Russia's Liudmila Samsonova yesterday. The Polish eighth seed will face former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic for a place in Saturday's final. Swiatek has won four titles on the clay at the French Open, as well as the US Open in 2022, but has struggled on the lawns of the All England Club. Her previous best result at Wimbledon was a run to the quarter-finals in 2023. Swiatek dominated the first set against 19th seed Samsonova on Court One but was made to battle in the second set before wrapping up victory in one hour and 49 minutes. 'It feels great. Even though I'm in the middle of the tournament I've already got goosebumps after this win. I'm super happy and super proud of myself and I'll keep going,' she said. 'Honestly, I've really enjoyed playing this year and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible. 'For sure I feel like I really worked hard to progress here on this surface.' Swiatek broke twice in the opening set to take a firm grip on the match, benefiting from a flurry of unforced errors from her opponent and winning 100 percent of her points on first serve. Two double faults from the Russian 19th seed handed Swiatek an early break in the second set and she snuffed out a clutch of break points in the following game to go 3-0 up. The 24-year-old was pegged back as her level dipped and Samsonova pulled level at 4-4. But Swiatek regrouped and broke again to seal the win, finishing off her opponent with a fierce forehand winner. The former world number one has gone under the radar at this year's Wimbledon as most of the other top women's seeds have tumbled, though world number one Aryna Sabalenka is still standing. After slipping down the rankings, she is now back in the world's top four having reaching the Bad Homburg final on grass last month. Swiatek, a former Wimbledon junior champion, lost in the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and the French Open this year.
Gulf Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Swiatek bludgeons Samsonova to reach 1st semis as Bencic moves into Wimbledon last 4, Sinner triumphs
The balls kept on listening to Iga Swiatek on Wednesday as the Polish eighth seed walloped Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time. After years of nightmare outings at the spiritual home of lawn tennis, Swiatek appears to have finally conquered her grasscourt demons as she said the 'ball has been really listening' to her at Wimbledon this year. That was certainly in evidence on Wednesday as from the moment Swiatek launched into a 105mph ace to save break point in the opening game, the ball dutifully obeyed the Pole as winner after winner flew off her racket. From 2-2 in the first set, the five-times Grand Slam champion suffocated her Russian opponent on a hot and sticky Court One, winning seven games in a row with some ferocious forehands from the baseline that left Samsonova gasping for air. Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates after victory over Russia's Mirra Andreeva. There was simply no place to hide for Samsonova, who does not like discovering the identity of her opponents until the 11th hour, as Swiatek won all of her first serve points during the opening set. Swiatek must have thought she would be back in her rented Wimbledon home before too long to tuck into her favourite dish -- pasta tossed with strawberries and yoghurt -- as she led 6-1 3-0. However, Samsonova clung on for dear life despite surrendering her serve twice in the second set by misfiring double faults on break points. The 19th seed, who was inspired to pick up a tennis racket after watching compatriot Maria Sharapova playing on TV, managed to break the Swiatek serve not once but twice to level the second set at 4-4. The fightback failed to throw off Swiatek, however, as the Pole never dropped her incredible intensity and continued to threaten to take the racket out of her opponent's hand with the astonishing power she was generating from the baseline. So loud was the thundering 'thwack' sound as her racket made contact with the ball that startled spectators were often jolted in their seats. It also unnerved Samsonova, whose Wimbledon hopes crumbled under 38 unforced and 16 forced errors. Four games later it was all over as Swiatek skipped around the court in celebration after hitting a brutal service return winner to complete her full set of semi-final appearances at the four majors. Earlier, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic reached her first Wimbledon semi-final with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2) win against Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday. Former Olympic champion Bencic is enjoying her best run at the All England Club just over a year after giving birth. Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning against US player Ben Shelton. AFP The 28-year-old had her daughter Bella in April 2024, but has already risen back up to 35 in the world since returning from maternity leave. Wimbledon seems to be child's play for Bencic this year and she dispatched Andreeva in two hours and eight minutes of enthralling quarter-final action on Centre Court. Bencic, a former world number four, will face five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek for a place in the final. Bencic's only other Grand Slam last four appearance ended in defeat at the US Open in 2019, two years before she won singles gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, World number one Jannik Sinner shrugged off any doubts about his injured elbow to reach the Wimbledon semi-final for the second time with a clinical defeat of powerful American 10th seed Ben Shelton on Wednesday. A high-octane contest on a muggy Court One was decided by slender margins with Italian Sinner seizing the few opportunities that came his way in ruthless fashion for a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 victory. Sinner dropped two points on serve in the opening set but could make no impression on Shelton's booming delivery either before reeling off seven points to storm through the tiebreak. Shelton continued slugging it out with the three-time Grand Slam champion but the American faltered at 4-5 in the second set, Sinner taking control as he converted just his second break point opportunity of the contest. It was a repeat performance in the third set as Sinner applied the pressure in the 10th game and Shelton duly cracked, serving a double-fault before bashing a forehand long on match point after two hours and 19 minutes. Agencies
