Alexander Pichushkin, a skilled chess player, harbored a dark ambition to murder 64 individuals, symbolizing each square on a chessboard. He was born in Soviet Moscow in 1974, close to the picturesque Bitsa Park, known for its diverse flora and fauna and as a popular recreational spot for city residents. Initially described as a content and intelligent child, Pichushkin’s life took a sinister turn after a serious head injury from a playground accident altered his behavior, making him volatile and prone to anger outbursts.
Following the incident, Pichushkin faced bullying at school, prompting his mother to transfer him to a specialized institution for children with learning disabilities. Despite these challenges, his passion for chess remained strong, particularly nurtured by his grandfather, who recognized his talent and often took him to Bitsa Park for games. Their bond was so close that Pichushkin eventually moved in with his grandfather after his mother’s house.
Tragedy struck when Pichushkin’s grandfather passed away, leading him to return to his mother’s residence in Bitsa Park. He spiraled into alcohol abuse and fixated on the “Rostov Ripper” case, a notorious Ukrainian serial killer. Pichushkin’s first murder occurred at 18 when his friend declined to participate in his macabre plan to kill 64 people. This rejection triggered a violent response, resulting in the friend’s death, which went unsolved due to lack of evidence.
Over the next 14 years, Pichushkin carried out a series of brutal killings, targeting random strangers, acquaintances, and even neighbors in his apartment complex. He would lure them to secluded areas of Bitsa Park under the guise of camaraderie, only to viciously bludgeon them to death and leave a chilling signature by impaling their skulls with objects.
Pichushkin’s reign of terror came to an end in 2006 when his coworker Marina Moskalyova disappeared, prompting an investigation that led to his arrest. During interrogation, he confessed to the murders, claiming that killing provided him with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. He maintained that he killed to sustain his own existence and likened the act to playing God.
Convicted in 2007 for 49 murders, Pichushkin received a life sentence with the initial 15 years to be served in solitary confinement. He is currently incarcerated at the “Polar Owl” supermax prison in the remote Arctic region of Russia, known for housing the country’s most dangerous criminals. In a recent development, Pichushkin expressed willingness to confess to 11 additional murders, solidifying his position as one of Russia’s most prolific serial killers, second only to Mikhail Popkov.