Chilling True Crime: Historian Who Turned 26 Bodies Exhumed From Graveyards Into Life-Sized Dolls
The findings from a historian's house in Russia revealed a horrifying secret that no one had noticed for years. Anatoly Moskvin was mummifying the bodies of children he exhumed from graves, transforming them into large toy dolls with clothes and wigs, and hiding them in his house. When this truth, which nobody had noticed for years, came to light, a shocking story stretching back to Moskvin's childhood was also revealed.
Here are the details.
He Brought the Children He Unearthed from Graves to His Home
Anatoly Moskvin, a historian and linguist specializing in local cemeteries, lived in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Over the years, he visited hundreds of cemeteries. According to his own accounts, he toured 752 cemeteries, examining tombstones and researching the stories of the deceased. However, this curiosity eventually took a much more horrifying turn.
Moskvin began to dig up and remove the bodies from the graves of young girls in particular. He then mummified these bodies, dressing them in children's clothes and wigs. He took the corpses, which he transformed into life-sized dolls, back to his home.
In court, it was reported that he admitted to desecrating 44 graves and bodies, while during the investigation it was suspected that many more graves could have been damaged. (Some sources suggest that Moskvin may have desecrated up to 150 graves.)
The Terrifying Truth Emerged in 2011
The secret Moskvin had been hiding for years was revealed during an investigation in 2011 related to the desecration of graves. Initial reports stated that 29 mummified bodies were found in his house and garage. However, subsequent investigation records listed the number as 26.
Moskvin's family claimed that they had seen the figures in the house but did not realize they were real human bodies. Moskvin, on the other hand, did not attempt to hide his actions when he was taken into custody. Moreover, it was revealed during the investigation that he talked to the mummies, spent time with them, and even celebrated their birthdays.
His Main Goal Was to Be a Father to a Daughter
During the interrogation and investigation, Moskvin also explained why he collected the bodies. In 2003, he had applied to adopt a girl. However, his application was rejected due to his financial situation being deemed insufficient after evaluation. It was also reported that his family did not support his desire to adopt before this decision.
After this rejection, Moskvin turned to graveyards and began to exhume the first bodies. Moreover, this part should be considered as his narrative since it is based on his own statements.
The official indictment confirmed that the children were between the ages of 3 and 12; it was also understood that Moskvin saw the children as his own.
The Incident That Led Him to the Cemetery: He Was Only 12!
It was revealed that Moskvin's interest in the dead dates back much further. According to his own account, he encountered the funeral of an 11-year-old girl named Natasha Petrova when he was just 12 or 13 years old. Moskvin described being led to the girl's coffin by adults at the funeral and being forced to kiss the dead child's face. He stated that this memory, which he wrote down years later, marked the beginning of his interest in death and funeral rituals.
After this incident, he began to research more about cemeteries and death rituals. Over time, this curiosity went far beyond just academic interest.
Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Not Sent to Prison
After the incident that emerged in 2011, Moskvin was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in the psychiatric evaluation. Experts concluded that he was unable to fully comprehend the nature and consequences of his actions during the events.
In May 2012, the court exempted him from criminal liability and decided to apply compulsory psychiatric treatment. The case against him was related to crimes against dead bodies and graves.
Moskvin Is Still In The Hospital
Moskvin's story did not end with the court decision. His compulsory psychiatric treatment was extended several times over the years. Most recently, on July 31, 2026, the court in Nizhny Novgorod decided that his compulsory treatment should continue for another six months. Thus, Moskvin will continue to stay in the psychiatric hospital at least until 2022.
Moskvin, on the other hand, describes his actions as a 'scientific activity' rather than a crime.
According to news in the Russian media, Moskvin was planning to marry a 25-year-old woman. The woman, who was reported to have graduated from the Faculty of Philology, also attended Moskvin's court hearings during his trial process. Subsequent news reported that this woman supported Moskvin and regularly attended the hearings. Some news even suggested that she initially introduced herself as his daughter, but later wanted to marry Moskvin. However, the authorities did not allow this marriage on the grounds that Moskvin was dangerous.
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