The Northeast Philadelphia community is dealing with the aftermath of a distressing finding where 61-year-old Lola Karabaeva's body was found in her own home, as authorities investigate her death. According to CBS News Philadelphia, Karabaeva, who was reported missing on Sunday by friends, was found wrapped in plastic and duct taped to a board inside a closet of her home on the 9000 block of Diplomat Place.
The discovery took place after the Philadelphia Police revisited the home to continue the missing person's investigation on Wednesday. Wrapped in plastic, Karabaeva's body having been believed to be deceased for several days was pronounced dead by medics at 10:13 a.m., as police sources said. As per 6abc Action News, the cause of her death is still pending determination.
Neighbors have expressed their grief and shock upon hearing about the tragic event. One neighbor described Karabaeva, originally from Uzbekistan, as "absolutely angel," in a quote to 6abc Action News. Meanwhile, others have mentioned an apparent strain in the couple's relationship, implying a possible estranged marriage.
After finding the body of the missing woman, police arrested 65-year-old Vladimir Lushevskiy, Karabaeva's husband, in New Jersey. He has been charged with abuse of a corpse, a detail confirmed by multiple sources including PHL17 News. It is understood, according to Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore, that the investigation also explores the contention that the couple had an argument related to their son's death, which may be a factor in the situation.
Additional information from sources indicates that Lushevskiy possibly harbored a belief that his wife was somehow responsible for their son's death, which occurred during a hiking trip in California in 2004. Evgeniy Lushevskiy, 19 at the time of his disappearance, had his remains discovered only after several years. The Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit is now handling the ongoing investigation, and depending on the findings, Lushevskiy could face further charges. Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact the police at 215-686-TIPS, as requested by the authorities, per 6abc Action News.
