Maxim Tsereteli
| Maxim Yanovich Tsereteli | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 25, 1952 Uzlolovsk, Kortov Oblast, Laiatan |
| Died |
July 11, 2004 (aged 51) Govaya Correctional Center, Govaya, Kortov, Laiatan |
Cause of death |
Execution by hanging |
| Other names |
The Kortov Butcher The Forest Stalker |
Criminal charge |
21 counts of first-degree murder 12 counts of sexual assault 11 counts of cannibalism (January 19, 1996) |
Criminal penalty |
Death (12 counts; January 19, 1996) Life imprisonment (19 consecutive counts) 115 years imprisonment |
Criminal status |
Executed |
Maxim Yanovich Tsereteli (September 25, 1952 - July 11, 2004) was a Laiatanese serial killer, rapist, and cannibal. Between 1992 and 1994, Tsereteli raped, murdered, and dismembered 21 young men and women - the last 11 of his victims were cannibalized.
Diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, Tsereteli was found to be legally sane and was able to stand trial. Convicted of all 21 known murders he committed in Kortov Oblast, Tsereteli was sentenced to death on January 19, 1996. He was additionally sentenced to 19 consecutive life sentences for nine of the 21 murders and 10 of the 12 sexual assaults. The other two sexual assaults and the 11 counts of cannibalism resulted in a sentence of 115 years imprisonment.
Tsereteli was executed by hanging on July 11, 2004 at the Govaya Correctional Center in Govaya, Kortov Oblast.
Contents
Prior criminal activities
1987: First legal charges
Tsereteli was charged with driving under the influence with injury in February 1987 when his vehicle collided with a car at a stop light, resulting in several fractured ribs and broken bones for its driver. He was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment, and was paroled in 1991. He would go on and successfully complete his parole in 1992.
1993-1994: Suspect in unsolved rapes
Multiple unsolved rapes occurred across Kortov Oblast, mainly focusing around Klimoretsk, Govaya, and Lipeluga. Tsereteli was known to frequently travel between these cities, and all the rapes had a similar modus operandi. No charges were filed against Tsereteli for the rapes, though retired prosecutor Marta Kozakova revealed in an interview in 2004 the District Attorney's Office firmly believed Tsereteli was responsible.
Victims
Tsereteli tended to target younger men and women, starting off with young women typically in their 20s. His third victim was a 22 year old man, after which he targeted young men and women seemingly at random. He raped both his male and female victims with no apparent preference, though not every victim was raped prior to their death.
He used various killing methods, including asphyxiation, knives, and firearms.
The last 11 of his victims were dismembered and cannibalized, with Tsereteli keeping some body parts in his refrigerator and freezer. These dismembered victims were buried on his property. When police raided his home with a search warrant, an arm and leg of his last victim were found in his freezer.
