The supervisory authority has revealed new details of one of the most high-profile criminal cases – the murder of four members of the Karabalin family in the village of Zhangeldin, Kyzylkoga District, Atyrau Region. The investigation has been completed, the main suspect has confessed, and the case has been sent to court. Criminal prosecution against his ex-wife in connection with the murder episode has been terminated.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Atyrau Region announced the completion of the investigation into one of the most resonant criminal cases of recent years – the murder of four members of the Karabalin family in the village of Zhangeldin, Kyzylkoga District. Investigative authorities stated that the case has been forwarded to court, the key suspect, Sultan Sarsemaliyev, has fully admitted his guilt, and criminal prosecution against his ex-wife, Akbayan Mukangaliyeva, has been dropped regarding the murder episode. However, her procedural status has not been definitively closed – this concerns a separate line of investigation not directly related to the murder charge.

As specified by the supervisory authority, the suspect’s ex-wife, Akbayan Mukangaliyeva, has not been recognized as an accomplice to the crime. Due to a lack of sufficient evidence of her involvement, proceedings on the murder episode have been terminated. However, a separate pre-trial investigation continues regarding the possible failure to report a crime. This episode is still under review and has not yet received a final legal assessment.

According to the investigation, Akbayan Mukangaliyeva underwent inpatient comprehensive forensic psychological and psychiatric examination in Almaty. To date, the official results have not been submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office of Atyrau Region.

Once the results are received, specialists will provide a legal assessment; if necessary, an additional examination may be ordered. The woman is currently in Atyrau undergoing treatment at a regional psychiatric center.

Against this backdrop, the main part of the investigation into Sultan Sarsemaliyev has been completed. According to case materials, he provided detailed testimony, including about his actions after the crimes – selling livestock belonging to the family and withdrawing money from the bank accounts of the deceased. The investigation believes these actions were aimed at appropriating property and attempting to flee abroad.

A distinctive feature of the investigation has been the determination of the “phased” nature of the crimes over time. According to the investigation, the murders were not committed simultaneously; nearly six months passed between the first and subsequent episodes.

The first episode occurred in May 2025, when Nauryz Mukangaliyev was killed; the other three murders were committed in November of the same year. The bodies of all victims showed multiple stab wounds inflicted with a kitchen knife. Each deceased sustained at least six blows to vital organs.

Sultan Sarsemaliyev faces charges of murder of two or more persons, repeat murder, as well as counts of theft and fraud. All alleged acts are classified under provisions that provide for punishment ranging from 15 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment.

Let us recall that the story began with the disappearance of spouses Maksot Karabalin and Nasip Uteshkalieva, along with their adult children Nauryz and Miramgul. Relatives reported the disappearance in the fall of 2025. On January 6 of this year, the bodies of the spouses were discovered in an outbuilding in the village of Zhangeldin.

Further investigation led law enforcement to the family’s former son-in-law, Sultan Sarsemaliyev. He and his ex-wife were placed on an international wanted list, after which they were detained in Indonesia. Following extradition to Kazakhstan, the suspect confessed and pointed out locations where the bodies of the other victims were hidden. They were found in the suburbs of Atyrau, on the premises of a house rented by the suspect himself.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the criminal case file comprises 15 volumes, containing 13 episodes. A court, which is expected to begin proceedings on May 18, will put an end to this story – one that still leaves more questions than answers.

By Linara SAKTAGANOVA
Astana