The search for Ivan Prodan, a notorious criminal known as the “Domodedovo Vampire,” has intensified following his release from a penal colony in April 2024. Prodan, who served 25 years for a series of brutal crimes, including five murders and 17 rapes, failed to register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) as required by law. His current whereabouts remain unknown, raising concerns among the public and law enforcement agencies.
Prodan’s release has sparked widespread fear, particularly in the Moscow region, where he committed most of his crimes. His history of violence, including attacking victims near railway stations, has led authorities to speculate that he may have returned to these familiar areas. However, the lack of any traceable actions, such as acquiring official documents from the MFC, has complicated efforts to locate him.
According to experts, there are several theories about Prodan’s disappearance. Mikhail Ignatov, a forensic scientist, suggested to Russian media that Prodan may have been killed by the relatives of his past victims. Alternatively, he could have assumed a new identity using forged documents and fled to another region or even left Russia entirely, though this would have required substantial financial resources.
Eva Merkacheva, a member of the Presidential Council for Human Rights, is reportedly seeking answers from the MVD regarding the decision not to place Prodan under stricter supervision post-release. The failure to do so has left many questioning the adequacy of current monitoring systems for released violent offenders.
As law enforcement continues its search, the case has drawn significant attention, with the public being urged to report any information on Prodan’s possible location.