Viktor Sotnikov

Viktor Viktorovich Sotnikov (; born 26 November 1961) is a Russian serial killer, convicted for the killing of 8 people in Lipetsk Oblast and Tambov Oblast between 2000 and 2011.

Background Viktor Viktorovich Sotnikov was born in 1961, in Gryazi, Lipetsk Oblast, Soviet Union. Sotnikov grew up in an unstable household, and during his childhood he began to torture animals, even hanging the family dog. In his early adulthood, he started abusing his parents and sisters, and sold illegal moonshine. Sotnikov was accused of raping two women but paid the women to drop their accusations.

Arrest and conviction Sotnikov was arrested after being identified by the witnesses during the investigation of the homeless man's murder. He attempted to claim he was insane, but he was proven to be sane during the killings. On 22 October 2013, Sotnikov was found guilty of 8 murders in Lipetsk Oblast and Tambov Oblast and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In his final statement, he apologized to the victims, his wife and said that he repents committing the crimes. His accomplice, Alexander Lenshin, was sentenced to 19-years imprisonment for his involvement in some of the murders.