Viviane Janouin-Benanti
Misha Smile
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Mikhail Popkov, Serial Killer
Misha Smile is the story of a killer who is unique, not only in the number of his victims, but above all in his singular motivations as a "cleaner"… After a 20-year hunt, when he is finally caught he shows neither remorse nor regret, but great pride. Indeed, he is convinced that he is within his rights, within the law. In fact, he started cracking down when he was a police officer, "cleaning up" the city. The culprits in his eyes are unfaithful women, those who destroy couples and families through their immoral behavior. On them, he takes revenge for his mother's abandonment and his wife's infidelity. These women, aged between 16 and 40, reassured by his uniform and his smile, he humiliates, rapes, and severely mutilates. The brutality of his assaults contrasts with the precautions he took. Without his DNA, he would never have been suspected.
Mikhail Popkov has confessed to killing 83 people, including a police captain. In almost all cases, he gave precise details of where he deposited or buried the bodies.
As the death penalty is subject to a moratorium in Russia, he is currently serving a life sentence.