Russian Scientist Andrey Botikov Behind Sputnik V Covid-19 Vaccine Found Dead

Andrey Botikov, a top Russian scientist who helped in creating the country's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, was found dead in his house in Moscow last week.

The news of his death on Thursday was shared by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation via a post on Telegram.

Botikov, 47, was a senior researcher at the Gamaleya National Research Center for Ecology and Mathematics.

The statement issued on Friday said that his death is being investigated as murder.

The committee shared that as per the investigation, on Mar. 2 in an apartment building that is located on "Rogova Street in Moscow, a 29-year-old man, during an argument, strangled the 47-year-old owner of the apartment with a belt and fled the scene."

His body reportedly had strangulation marks, many stab wounds as well as abrasions.

Shortly after Botikov's body was found in his apartment, a suspect was arrested, as per Insider.

According to Russian News Agency TASS, authorities said that the location of the attacker was established in short order, and during the interrogation, "he pled guilty and was charged."

Without giving out a name, authorities shared that the attacker had earlier stood trial for "committing a serious crime."

Investigators working on the case plan to "petition the court to place the defendant in custody pending trial."

As per the Daily Beast, the suspect has been identified as Alexei Z. He is a former convict who spent about a decade in jail on charges of providing sex services.

The latest incident seemed to have been the result of an argument over money between Botikov and the suspect.

The murder, which was a domestic crime, was the result of a conflict, as per law enforcement agencies.

The Khoroshevo interdistrict investigative department opened the criminal case. It is part of the investigative department of the northwestern administrative district of the leading investigative department of the Russian Investigative Committee for Moscow.

The victim was one of 18 scientists who helped in developing Russia's Covid-19 vaccine about three years ago. He was even awarded an Order of Merit for the Fatherland for his contribution by the country's President Vladimir Putin in 2021.