Kumarbek Abdyrov, known as the “Bishkek Maniac,” was found dead in his cell at Detention Center No. 1 in Bishkek. Fergana news agency reported this, citing sources from the State Penitentiary Service.
According to preliminary information, the 41-year-old Abdyrov, who was charged with a series of high-profile murders, reportedly took his own life. His body was discovered on February 7, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.
Murders and public resonance
Abdyrov was arrested in September 2025 on charges of killing 17-year-old Aysuluu Mukasheva. The case caused a widespread public outcry, leading Kyrgyzstan’s president, Sadyr Japarov, to call for the reinstatement of the death penalty in the country.
During interrogations, Abdyrov confessed to raping and murdering several women, including 19-year-old Kamila Duyshebaeva, who went missing in March 2014. Her body was found six days later in the Alamedin district, where she had been strangled with her own scarf. The case gained particular attention due to the deceased’s familial ties to the uncle of the former Attorney General of Kyrgyzstan.
Murder attempts and serial crimes
In October 2015, Abdyrov attempted to murder another woman by throwing her into a ditch and throwing a stone at her. The victim survived and told investigators that Abdyrov was surprised by her survival, stating, “How did you manage to untie yourself? No one has before.” These words led authorities to conclude that the crimes were serial in nature.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Abdyrov’s first crime occurred in 2006 in the “Kok-Jar” residential area, when he hit a woman with a metal object and stole her phone. The case was later settled through reconciliation and compensation.
Sentences and arrests
In 2016, Abdyrov was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted murder, but his sentence was later reduced to seven years. In 2018, he was released on parole.
Following his arrest in 2025, three former judges from the Bishkek City Court and a prosecutor were arrested for reducing Abdyrov’s sentence.
