Murder, Mystery & Makeup: Grandma is Secretly a Serial Killer and CANNIBAL?? The Shocking Crimes of the Granny Ripper

Released on March 18, 2025, by Audioboom Studios

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Grandma is Secretly a Serial Killer and CANNIBAL?? The Shocking Crimes of the Granny Ripper," Bailey Sarian delves into the horrifying case of Tamara Samsonova, an elderly woman from Petersburg, Russia, who earned the sinister moniker "Granny Ripper." This detailed narrative explores Tamara's transformation from a gentle neighbor to a suspected serial killer with alleged cannibalistic tendencies.

Background: Tamara Samsonova’s Life

Tamara Samsonova was born on April 25, 1947, in Ozhur, a government town in central Russia with a population of approximately 20,000 during her upbringing. Little is known about her childhood, but her early adulthood saw her move 14 hours across the country to attend Moscow State Linguistic University in Moscow. Excelling in languages, Tamara graduated and relocated to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in the early 1970s.

In St. Petersburg, Tamara married Alexei, not to be confused with the inventor of Tetris, and secured a job at the prestigious Grand Hotel Europe, where she worked for 16 years before retiring. Her linguistic skills and personable nature made her well-liked in her roles as a travel agent and hotel employee.

The Disappearance of Alexei and Struggles with Roommates

Shortly after her retirement, Tamara's husband, Alexei, vanished without a trace. She reported him missing to the authorities, suggesting he may have left her for another woman. The police treated the case as a personal disappearance due to the nature of her report. In the aftermath, Tamara began renting out a room in her apartment to supplement her income. However, her tenancy was fraught with difficulties as roommates frequently left, citing loud noises and disturbances from Tamara’s side of the apartment. Her diaries, written in Russian, English, and German, revealed her struggles with sleeplessness, medication, and interests in black magic and astrology.

Conflict with Valentina Nikolaevina Nailedat

In 2014, Tamara decided to renovate her apartment and moved in with 79-year-old Valentina Nikolaevina Nailedat to assist with household chores. Initially, the arrangement seemed beneficial, but tensions soon arose. Valentina grew frustrated with Tamara’s inability to maintain housework, leading to multiple confrontations.

In July 2015, a significant altercation over unwashed dishes prompted Tamara to take drastic measures. Suspecting Valentina of being a constant nuisance, Tamara decided to eliminate her. She procured 50 pills of phonazepam— a calming prescription drug— from a local pharmacist (Bailey Sarian notes, "[00:10]") and ingeniously laced them into an Olivier salad, a traditional Russian dish favored by Valentina. After serving the poisoned meal, Tamara awaited the drug's effects, only to discover Valentina’s lifeless body around 2 AM.

The Dismemberment and Disposal of Valentina’s Body

Faced with the gruesome reality of Valentina's death, Tamara proceeded to dismember the body, allegedly out of necessity due to the heaviness of Valentina’s remains. She meticulously wrapped the dismembered parts in pieces of a shower curtain, placed them in plastic bags, and disposed of them in a nearby pond. CCTV footage captured Tamara dragging these bags into the pond on seven separate occasions.

Discovery and Police Investigation

On July 26, 2015, a curious couple found Valentina’s torso in one of the bags while walking their dog by the pond, leading to immediate police involvement. A separate CCTV recording showed Tamara near the pond disposing of the body parts, providing crucial evidence. Additionally, a social worker’s visit to Valentina's residence on the night of the murder raised red flags as Tamara denied access, further implicating her.

Upon confronting Tamara, evidence such as blood traces and torn shower curtains emerged. Tamara confessed to the murder of Valentina without resistance, detailing her method of poisoning and dismemberment. A subsequent search of her apartment unveiled her diaries, which contained confessions to multiple other murders and detailed accounts of her cannibalistic actions, including the consumption of victims’ organs.

Broader Implications and Additional Murders

Tamara's diaries implicated her in the murders of several other individuals, including former roommates like Volodya and a 44-year-old man named Sergey Bodnavin. Notably, a 2003 case involving a dismembered man with matching tattoos remained unsolved until connected through Tamara’s diary entries. Police suspect that Tamara may have been responsible for 11 to 14 murders, although many remain unconfirmed due to the lack of physical evidence beyond her confessions.

Legal Proceedings and Mental Health Evaluation

In December 2015, after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and deemed unfit to stand trial, Tamara was transferred to a high-security psychiatric prison in Kazan. The court deemed her a continued threat to society and herself, ordering lifetime confinement. Throughout her incarceration, Tamara exhibited erratic behavior, oscillating between remorse and defiance, and maintaining her stance on her violent actions as deliberate and premeditated.

Psychological Profile and Motives

Investigations revealed that Tamara had a history of mental illness, with multiple stints in psychiatric institutions over 15 years. Her neighbors recalled her fascination with the notorious serial killer Andre Chikatilo, also known as the Red Ripper, suggesting a possible influence on her own murderous tendencies. Tamara's motivations remain unclear, with no apparent financial gain driving her actions. Her diaries hinted at a compulsion for power and notoriety, as she expressed desires to be remembered as a serial killer.

Conclusion: The Enigma of the Granny Ripper

Tamara Samsonova's case remains one of the most chilling in recent Russian history. Despite her confession to several murders, the full extent of her atrocities may never be known, primarily due to the lack of physical evidence for many of her alleged crimes. Currently residing in a high-security psychiatric facility, Tamara continues to be a subject of fascination and horror, embodying the terrifying possibility that evil can lurk beneath the facade of the most unsuspecting individuals.

Bailey Sarian poignantly reflects, "You don't really hear a lot of women murderers who just kill for fun. It's always like the man," highlighting the rarity and unsettling nature of Tamara's actions.

Key Quotes

• Bailey Sarian [00:29]: "From cannibals to serial killers, she dives deep into the darkest tales while blending in her passion for makeup artistry."

• Bailey Sarian [Episode’s Climax]: "She finally confessed, and it was like, 'Okay, great. Thank you for confessing.'"

• Bailey Sarian [Conclusion]: "You don't really hear a lot of women murderers who just kill for fun. It's always like the man."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of human psychology and the thin veneer that can separate normalcy from monstrosity. Tamara Samsonova’s story is a haunting exploration of hidden darkness, leaving listeners to ponder the true nature of evil and the mysteries that remain unsolved.

Note: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key elements of the podcast episode without including non-content sections such as advertisements.