Russian Cannibal Lured Victim Over the Internet

A young Russian chef in the city of Murmansk fatally stabbed and then proceeded to cut up and eat a male victim he met online and invited home.

The English Language Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports on the crime in the Artic region, where investigators say the 21-year-old defendant was motivated by a desire to eat human flesh. He sought his victim under the guise of arranging a sexual encounter online because he believed that such a person would be more discreet.

"According to preliminary information, one of them was seeking a sexual partner," said Murmansk Investigation Committee chief Fyodor Bludenov, according to RIA. "The accused explained later that such people are not open, and they prefer to hide their contacts."

The mother of the victim contacted police this month and authorities located the accused by investigating her son's contacts. The defendant faces up to 15 years in jail, but he must first undergo a psychiatric examination to determine if he is fit to stand trial.