Mass Murder in Florida: Russell Kot Kills Seven, Including Relatives and Ex-Girlfriend, Before Suicide

 The Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota communities are reeling from a shocking and tragic murder-suicide that left six people dead, including the suspected gunman, Russell Kot, 51. Authorities report that Kot fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, Larisa Blyudaya, 46, and her 18-year-old son, Ben Azizov, in Fort Lauderdale before driving hours north to Sarasota, where he killed three more individuals connected to Blyudaya and ultimately took his own life.

The first double homicide occurred around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale, when police conducting a welfare check discovered Blyudaya and her son dead inside their townhome on Northeast 15th Street. Investigators noted that Kot had previously been in a romantic relationship with Blyudaya, who was related to some of the Sarasota victims. The full motive behind the killings remains unclear.

Hours later, shortly before 12:30 p.m., Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting report in the Amberlea neighborhood, near Proctor and McIntosh roads. Neighbors found homeowner Anatoly Ioffe, 61, shot in his front yard. Despite CPR efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Inside the home, deputies discovered three more victims: Olga Greinert, 49, Florita Stolyar, 66, and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39. Kot was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Security footage captured his vehicle entering the neighborhood around 11:01 a.m., and gunfire was reported shortly afterward.

Authorities clarified the relationships among the Sarasota victims: Stolyar was Larisa Blyudaya’s mother, Ioffe her stepfather, Yaroslav her brother, and Greinert a cleaner employed at Ioffe’s business, Osprey Polyclinic. Neighbors expressed shock, noting no known history of violence or mental health concerns for Kot. “It makes you really think. I just feel bad for the families,” one resident shared.

Sheriff’s officials are urging anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau at 941‑861‑4900 as the investigation continues. In the wake of the tragedy, community members have set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to support the victims’ families, which had raised nearly $20,000 by Thursday.

This harrowing event has left families, friends, and neighbors grappling with grief and disbelief. The loss of life across two cities underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the ripple effects such tragedies have on communities. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances and connections surrounding the killings to provide clarity for the affected families.

Memorials and support efforts are underway as both Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota mourn the victims, whose lives were abruptly and violently cut short, leaving loved ones and neighbors in profound sorrow.

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