Casefile True Crime: Case 299 – Olga Chardymova

Episode Overview

Casefile True Crime delves into the harrowing story of Olga Chardymova, a young girl whose tragic disappearance led to a chilling investigation uncovering the disturbing actions of Anatoly Moskvin. This episode meticulously chronicles Olga's life, her untimely death, the subsequent investigation, and the revelation of Moskvin's morbid obsession with creating lifelike dolls from human remains.

1. Introduction to Olga Chardymova

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, anti-terrorism police officers from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, visited the apartment of a semi-famous historian, Anatoly Moskvin, not to make an arrest but for research purposes. Upon entering, the officers were met with a chaotic environment filled with stacks of books, files, and an unsettling array of homemade dolls dressed in children's clothing.

[05:30] "As they looked around at the mess, their eyes began to adjust and they could make out specific items... All of their faces were wrapped in bandages, stockings or wax type plaster."

The eerie atmosphere hinted at something far more sinister beneath the surface chaos.

2. The Disappearance of Olga

In 1992, Natalia and Igor Chardymova welcomed their daughter, Olga, into the world in Nizhny Novgorod. Olga was a vibrant 10-year-old who loved fashion and expressing herself through her attire. On a seemingly ordinary morning in 2002, Olga expressed her desire to walk to her grandmother's apartment alone, showcasing her growing independence. Despite her parents' reservations, they reluctantly agreed.

However, Olga never arrived at her grandmother's place. As minutes turned into hours, panic set in. The police were alerted, and investigations revealed that a local man with a drug problem had blocked Olga's path, forcing her upstairs, and ultimately killing her when she resisted. Despite his confession, the man's inability to detail Olga's whereabouts left the family and authorities in despair.

[15:45] "I can go myself," Olga declared, emphasizing her readiness for independence, a declaration that soon turned tragic.

Five months after her disappearance, Olga's remains were discovered in the attic of her apartment block, confirming the brutal end she met that day.

3. The Lingering Torment

In the aftermath of Olga's burial on October 2, 2002, her parents were devastated not only by her loss but also by a series of disturbing events. Their efforts to honor Olga's memory were met with persistent grief as someone began vandalizing her grave:

• May 8, 2003: A handwritten note threatened to exhumate Olga's body if a proper monument wasn't erected.

  [22:10] "If you don't erect a great monument, which she deserves, we will dig her body out."

• Subsequent months saw more threatening notes and desecration of Olga's grave, causing Natalia and Igor immense emotional strain.

The couple's grief led to marital separation, with conflicting living arrangements intensifying their sorrow.

4. The Investigation and Discovery of Mikhail Sharov

By September 2009, cemetery vandalism had escalated, leading to the arrest of Mikhail Sharov, a local man with a history of desecrating graves. Sharov admitted to disturbing the graves of two young girls, including Olga's, attributing his actions to personal vendettas rather than any ideological motives.

Despite Sharov's apprehension, investigations hinted at a larger pattern of disturbances, primarily targeting Muslim women's graves, raising concerns about national security. A special task force struggled to curb the vandalism, prompting further scrutiny.

5. Anatoly Moskvin: The Dark Collector

Parallel to the cemetery disturbances was the mysterious case of Anatoly Moskvin, a respected historian and a self-proclaimed Pagan with a deep interest in burial practices. Moskvin meticulously studied over 750 cemeteries, creating an extensive index of around 10,000 graves.

On November 2, 2011, the same day the anti-terrorism officers first visited his apartment, they uncovered a horrifying secret: Moskvin had created 26 human dolls from the remains of more than 80 young girls. These lifelike dolls were dressed in their burial clothes, complete with painted facial features or covered faces.

[35:20] "Moskvin told police officers that he considered all of his dolls to be his daughters. He read to them, sang to them and set them all up in the living area so they could watch cartoons together."

Moskvin's obsession stemmed from a traumatic childhood experience involving the coerced participation in Natasha's funeral, which he believed was also a twisted wedding. This event ignited his lifelong fixation on resurrecting the dead through his macabre creations.

6. Moskvin's Arrest and Trial

Moskvin's actions extended beyond doll-making. He admitted to vandalizing Muslim graves as retaliation against a civil claim that was dismissed in his favor. During his trial on February 27, 2013, it was revealed that Moskvin suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, impairing his understanding of his actions' social implications.

Despite his heinous crimes, the court ruled that Moskvin was not criminally responsible due to his mental disorder. He was ordered to undergo compulsory medical treatment in a secure psychiatric facility.

[50:15] "You abandoned your girls in the cold. I brought them home and warmed them up," Moskvin told Olga's parents, showcasing his distorted perception of his actions.

7. Aftermath and Continuing Struggle

Natalia and Igor Chardymova worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives, eventually reuniting and welcoming a second child, Alexi. However, the nightmare persisted as Olga's remains were exhumed, revealing the emptiness of her coffin and confirming Moskvin's gruesome manipulations.

Moskvin's release remained a constant source of fear for Olga's parents, who worried about the possibility of him resuming his dark pursuits.

[1:02:30] Natalia expressed her fears, stating, "I worry that one day he will convince them he's sane and he'll come out and start his morbid activities again."

Ultimately, Olga's remains were reinterred in an unmarked grave, granting her the peace her family desperately sought.

Conclusion

The tragic story of Olga Chardymova serves as a stark reminder of the depths of human obsession and the profound impact of unresolved grief. Casefile True Crime poignantly illustrates the intersection of personal loss, mental illness, and the relentless pursuit of understanding horrific crimes. Olga's legacy, though marred by tragedy, underscores the resilience of those left behind and the enduring quest for justice and closure.