MOSCOW, Russia – The recent and unexpected death of the 35-year-old deputy editor-in-chief of Komsomolskaya Pravda, a newspaper known for its close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has left both authorities and the public bewildered.
Anna Tsareva was found lifeless in her Moscow apartment by her father after being out of contact since Sunday, December 10. Concerned about her prolonged silence, her parents visited her residence only to find the tragic scene.
Prior to her death, Tsareva had reportedly expressed feeling unwell and complained of a high temperature, leading to suspicions of a potential health-related cause. And while a law enforcement spokesperson confirmed the discovery of Tsareva’s body, local reports have raised speculations about the cause of death, with some suggesting “acute heart failure.”
Tsareva, who served as the deputy editor-in-chief for six years, was a prominent figure at Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russia’s largest news website with a massive readership of 83.9 million in October 2023. The publication holds a special place in President Putin’s esteem, as he once referred to it as his “favorite newspaper.”
The untimely demise of Anna Tsareva bears an eerie resemblance to the mysterious death of her former boss, Vladimir Sungorkin, just a year ago. Sungorkin, the editor-in-chief of Pravda, and a key ally of President Putin, suffered a stroke during a business trip. His sudden death was announced via state media’s Telegram account.
The recent tragedy has prompted the opening of a police investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Tsareva’s death. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that Vladimir Sungorkin, Tsareva’s predecessor, was among the Russian public figures sanctioned by the European Commission in April.
Authorities are working diligently to find out the cause of Anna Tsareva’s death, and the circumstances surrounding the tragic event remain under official investigation.