Bodies of mother and newborn found in Sheremetyevo airport restroom

Incident details

The bodies of a 30‑year‑old woman and her newborn son were discovered in a restroom in the arrival area of Sheremetyevo Airport. The woman gave birth in the toilet, cut the umbilical cord, placed toilet paper in the infant’s mouth and then suffocated the baby before disposing of the body in a trash bin. She was taken to a hospital where she died from blood loss.

The woman arrived from Turkey with an 11‑year‑old daughter and a 38‑year‑old partner who was unaware of her pregnancy.

Investigation

The Investigative Committee of Russia for the Moscow region opened a criminal case and conducted an inspection, interviewing witnesses and ordering forensic examinations.

Public response

The Moscow Region Ombudsman said the woman gave birth, killed her child and then died. Lawyer Ivan Kurbakov called for easier access to psychological and medical support for pregnant women and advocated mandatory DNA paternity testing at birth.