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New details have emerged in the investigation into the deaths of the Karabalin family in the village of Zhyngeld, Atyrau region. According to Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov, two individuals are considered suspects in the case.

One of the suspects, Akbayan Mukangalieva, who is the daughter of the deceased and wife of the primary suspect, has been placed in a psychiatric hospital for evaluation. This move comes as investigators gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Ongoing Investigation and Suspect Evaluation

"An investigation is currently underway, and necessary investigative actions are being carried out. A dedicated investigative team is working on the case. We from the Ministry of Internal Affairs are regularly visiting Atyrau to oversee this criminal case," stated Adilov.

He further clarified that Akbayan Mukangalieva has been recognized as a suspect and is undergoing a stationary, comprehensive forensic psychological-psychiatric examination. "She has also been identified as a suspect. Currently, she has been placed in a psychiatric hospital. A stationary, comprehensive examination, a forensic psychological-psychiatric evaluation, is being conducted," the deputy minister announced.

Adilov confirmed that there are no new suspects in the case at this time.

Reason for Psychiatric Evaluation

When questioned about the grounds for the examination, the deputy minister indicated that the decision was made based on the collected evidence and the suspect's behavior. "We have grounds for this – both her external behavior and her initial statements. We have now made the decision to appoint this examination," he added.

Background of the Family Homicide

The mass murder of a family in the village of Zhyngeld, Atyrau region, is under investigation. In late December 2025, relatives reported the disappearance of a retired couple and their adult children. At the time, it was reported that the family had left their home in an unknown direction and had not been heard from since.

On January 6, the bodies of the elderly couple were discovered in the Zhyngeld village. Law enforcement later reported that the bodies were found buried under a utility structure in the family's yard.

Just days after the couple's burial, on January 8, police identified the main suspect in the case as the family's 29-year-old son-in-law, Sultan Sarsemaliev. It was determined that he had fled the country with Akbayan Mukangalieva, the youngest daughter of the family.

Sarsemaliev was subsequently placed on an international wanted list.

Suspects Apprehended in Indonesia

On February 24, Sarsemaliev and Mukangalieva were apprehended at a hotel in the village of Senaru, Indonesia. The following day, February 25, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov announced that Akbayan Mukangalieva was also recognized as a suspect in the case.

Discovery of Additional Victims

In the evening of March 9, it was reported that the suspects had been extradited to Almaty. There, Sarsemaliev reportedly confessed to the murders of Nauryz Mukangaliyev and Miramgul Karabalin and revealed their burial sites. The bodies of the brother and sister were found in the Geolog microdistrict near Atyrau, in the yard of a house previously rented by the main suspect.

On March 11, the funeral for the brother and sister took place in the village of Zhyngeld, Kyzylkoga district. Relatives described the deceased as kind and generous individuals who were always willing to share what they had and had never harmed anyone. They were laid to rest beside their parents.

Previously, in response to an official inquiry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had stated that Sultan Sarsemaliev was under investigation for two articles of the Criminal Code. However, the official response did not provide a legal assessment of the actions of his wife, Akbayan Mukangalieva.

The Ministry confirmed that the pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

This information was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.