The Case of Yana Legkodimova: What Is Known So Far

Yana Legkodimova, 23 years old, from Atyrau, worked like any young person building her life. A year ago, she disappeared. Months later, her body was found in the Ural River. The investigation is complete, and the trial is now underway. 

Orda.kz explains what has come to light in court and what Yana’s family says today.

Relationship and Conflict

According to the case materials, Yana had been in a relationship with Rizuan Khairzhanov, an engineer two years older than her. At first, their relationship seemed ordinary. Over time, communication between them broke down, and Khairzhanov began seeing someone else.

I need you. Any way. I respect you. Will you meet me after work?
 Yana wrote.

If you love me, don't threaten me. I want to leave. Don't interfere with my family,
 he replied.

I miss you. I love you,
 were among her last messages.

What the Investigation Found

Investigators say Khairzhanov and his friend Altynbek Katimov discussed the crime in advance. Hundreds of messages between them were later discovered on VKontakte.

They allegedly discussed different ways to commit the crime and how to hide their traces. Prosecutors presented excerpts of their correspondence in court:

"Don't freak out. Clean everything up now, wash it off. There might be traces left."

"While she's sleeping, she's still warm and alive."

"Well, you know, we've done worse things."

It is unclear what the last message meant.

According to the investigation, Yana was strangled in a car, and her body was thrown into the river.

Yana's Diary

Shortly before her death, Yana began keeping a personal diary. Though brief, her notes became a central piece of evidence in the case.

According to investigators, Yana kept her diary for only a few days. Yet her entries revealed what she was experiencing in the final days of her life — her thoughts about work, exhaustion, spirituality, and meditation. Most often, she wrote about a man she referred to as “R.”

Investigators believe this refers to Rizuan Kairzhanov.

I was looking forward to the meeting all evening, getting ready, but at the last minute I fell asleep. R. didn't want to wait, and I got angry. We'd agreed to meet on Sunday anyway, and earlier,
 she wrote.

An entry dated October 13 shows growing emotional strain:

I was lazy all day, reread the text from R. about how he liked my smile, and burst into tears... I came home, lost it, told him he didn't need me like this, and I'd do everything my way anyway. He asked me to give him a week to treat me well, but that won't change anything.

The following day, she again wrote about her relationship — this time with a sense of fatigue and frustration:

R. has been texting me all day, and I don't understand what he's trying to get. I'd be happy if he did all this because he wanted to. But he does it out of fear. Disgusted, sometimes to the point of tears. 

The final entries, from October 16–17, were made just days before her death:

R. and I watched the film 'Platform.' We both didn't like the ending. R. wrote less than usual today. Basically, as expected... All can be done is accept it and move on.

Search and Discovery

For eight months, Yana was considered missing. In the spring, remains were found on the banks of the Ural River.

Forensic experts confirmed they belonged to her. The exact cause of death could not be determined due to decomposition, but postmortem injuries were identified.

What The Family Says

Yana’s mother, Galina Legkodimova, attends every hearing.

She loved him and believed in him. But later she found out he had a girlfriend. That girlfriend also didn't know he was dating my daughter. The police and I were shocked by their cynicism and cold-bloodedness. I thought it was all an accident, during a conflict. But when I read how they prepared, how they discussed the plans to murder... I will never forgive them,
 she said.

I waited eight months to hug a bag of bones. I want the death penalty for them. They took my daughter's life, a life that was just beginning. I don't believe in their remorse. There is no forgiveness for them.

The Trial

The case is being heard by Judge Zarema Khamidullina. The defendants remain calm during proceedings.

Khairzhanov and Katimov are charged under Article 99, Part 2, Clause 7 of the Criminal Code — “Homicide committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy” — and Article 188, “Theft.” 

Original Author: Daniel Arturov