Florida investigators say an apparent murder-suicide at a Sarasota home is linked to a double homicide that was discovered the same day in Fort Lauderdale. Deputies have identified the six people killed and the suspect, who is also dead, as they work to find out more about the connected murders.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said the shooter was 51-year-old Russell Kot. He was one of four people found dead Tuesday afternoon at a home in the gated Amberlea neighborhood.
The 911 call came in at 12:24 p.m. Tuesday from a woman saying she saw her neighbor lying on the ground outside of his home on Fallcrest Circle near Proctor and McIntosh roads. Parts of her frantic 911 call were released Wednesday evening.
Deputies arrived minutes later to find neighbors performing CPR on the man on the front lawn. He was transferred to the care of the Sarasota County Fire Department and died a short time later.
Deputies then entered the home to find four people dead, two men and two women.
The sheriff’s office said it appears Kot shot and killed himself after murdering four others, identified as:
During the investigation, Sarasota County deputies were contacted by Fort Lauderdale police about a double homicide they believed to be connected.
Fort Lauderdale police were responding to a well-being check Tuesday afternoon at a home on Northeast 15th Avenue when they found two people dead. They were later identified as 46-year-old Larisa Blyudaya and her 18-year-old son, Ben Azizov.
Sarasota County deputies added that Russell Kot, the suspected shooter, was once in a relationship with Blyudaya.
How were the murders connected?
According to a GoFundMe, five of the six people killed were part of the same family.
Ben Azizov — “a joyful son and grandson whose whole life had only just begun”
Larisa Blyudaya — “a daughter, sister, and deeply loving mother”
Yaroslav “Stan” Blyudoy — “a cherished son, brother, and fiancée with his whole life ahead of him”
Florita Stolyar — “a devoted mother, wife, and heart of her family”
Anatoly Ioffe — “a loving father, stepfather, and steady presence”
It’s not clear how the sixth victim, Olga Greinert, knew the family.
“They were not just names in a headline. They were loving parents, devoted parents, cherished children, and dear friends. Their loss leaves an unfillable space in the hearts of everyone who knew them,” the fundraising page reads.
The GoFundMe page says the money raised will help cover funeral expenses, living costs and ongoing support for their surviving family members:
Eve, Larisa’s daughter and Ben’s sister
As of Feb. 12, more than $44,000 of the $100,000 goal had been met. If you’d like to donate, you can do so through GoFundMe.