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Tamara Samsonova

Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova is a Russian murderer and suspected serial killer who was arrested in July 2015.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova is a Russian murderer and suspected serial killer who was arrested in July 2015. She became widely known in Russian and international media as the “Granny Ripper” and “Baba Yaga.”

Background

Tamara Samsonova was born on 25 April 1947 in Russia. Publicly available reporting identifies her by her full patronymic name, Tamara Mitrofanovna Samsonova.

Arrest and allegations

She was arrested in July 2015 in connection with murder allegations. She was described in reports as a suspected serial killer rather than as a convicted one.

Public attention

The case drew attention because of the violent allegations and the unusual nicknames used in media coverage. International reporting helped make the case widely known beyond Russia.

Key facts

  • She is a Russian woman accused of murder and suspected of serial killings.
  • She was arrested in July 2015.
  • Media reports gave her the nicknames “Granny Ripper” and “Baba Yaga.”
  • Public reporting noted that she had been hospitalized in psychiatric institutions multiple times.
  • She became the subject of extensive coverage in Russian and international news media.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tamara Samsonova?
Tamara Samsonova is a Russian woman known for murder allegations and for being described by media as a suspected serial killer.
When was Tamara Samsonova born?
She was born on 25 April 1947.
Why is she known as “Granny Ripper”?
That nickname was used in media coverage of her case because of the alleged crimes and her age.
Was Tamara Samsonova arrested?
Yes. She was arrested in July 2015.
Was she convicted?
The provided sources describe her as a suspected serial killer and do not establish a conviction.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Samsonova
    Supports: Identity, birth date, arrest timeframe, and public nicknames.
  2. YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWIK7kBX0o
    Supports: No relevant information about Tamara Samsonova; search result confusion with tennis player Ludmilla Samsonova.
  3. Tennis.comhttps://www.tennis.com/tournaments/wimbledon/matches/l-samsonova-vs-m-bouzkova-2026-07-04
    Supports: Search result confusion with tennis player Liudmila Samsonova, not Tamara Samsonova.