The sheriff has announced murder charges against two suspects accused of beating a man to death, dismembering his body and disposing of it, which sparked an extensive missing person investigation.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that they had solved a missing person case that spurred an extensive investigation spanning more than eight months.
The sheriff’s office in early November received a report that Ruslan Furman, 51, who was last seen at his home in the 26500 block of North Route 83 in unincorporated Mundelein, had gone missing.
Sheriff’s detectives launched an “exhaustive investigation” into Furman’s disappearance, pursuing “every available lead and methodically piecing together” evidence over the following months, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said.
Detectives carried out numerous search warrants, conducted extensive forensic examinations, reviewed surveillance footage, interviewed potential witnesses and sent material to the Northeast Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory.
Sheriff’s detectives learned that Furman had been visiting acquaintances, Dmitry Bogatiryov, 52, of Mundelein and Damen Voranoff, 56, of Mundelein, around the time of his disappearance.
The three were together at Bogatiryov’s home in the 26600 block of Kenwood Court in unincorporated Mundelein, Covelli said.
Detectives found Bogatiryov’s living room had recently been remodeled, including freshly stained hardwood flooring and a fresh coat of paint on the walls.
They suspected Furman had been the victim of foul play at Bogatiryov’s home based on the investigation and obtained a search warrant for Bogatiryov’s residence, Covelli said.
Detectives carried out the search and located suspected blood spatter on portions of the wall and suspected blood beneath the freshly stained hardwood flooring.
Covelli said sheriff’s detectives cut pieces of drywall and the subflooring and sent them to the crime lab, which confirmed it was Furman’s blood.
A reciprocating saw was recovered from Bogatiryov’s home that appeared to contain blood and laboratory testing later confirmed it was blood belonging to Furman.
Further investigation revealed a burn pile near Bogatiryov’s residence, Covelli said.
Detectives recovered charred furniture remnants from a couch that was previously in Bogatiryov’s home from the burn pile.
Sheriff’s detectives also obtained video surveillance of Bogatiryov and Voranoff purchasing muriatic acid and other suspicious items at a hardware store.
Covelli said it is believed that Bogatiryov and Voranoff beat Furman to death and left him to die inside Bogatiryov’s home.
Detectives further believe the two suspects dismembered Furman’s body and disposed of his remains.
Sheriff’s detectives, specialized dive teams, fire personnel and partner law enforcement agencies searched Diamond Lake for Furman’s remains on several occasions but were unable to locate them.
“Detectives continue pursuing investigative leads in an effort to recover his remains,” Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence gathered during the investigation and presented the case to a Lake County grand jury on Wednesday.
The grand jury returned indictments charging Bogatiryov and Voranoff with first-degree murder.
Both suspects were already being held in custody on unrelated charges and are scheduled to appear in First Appearance Court on Thursday.
The separate cases they are charged in stem from drug and weapons charges.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said Voranoff was found with 14 guns and over 1,000 grams of cannabis, consisting of flower and THC cartridge pods.
Voranoff does not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card or concealed carry license. He does not have an extensive criminal history, Theis said, adding that he was on pre-trial release for a misdemeanor child endangerment case.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said Bogatiryov was found with four guns, 1,437 grams of flower cannabis, 1,227 grams of cannabis oil and 75 grams of cannabis wax.
Bogatiryov also does not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card.
The two were arrested early on in the case on the drug and gun charges after search warrants were carried on November 11 for crime-related evidence at Furman’s and Bogatiryov’s residences.
A heavy police presence consisting of police canines, detectives and SWAT team members was seen in the area as the warrant was carried out, with investigators arresting both men.
“This investigation reflects the dedication and persistence of our detectives, who never stopped working to find the truth and seek justice for Mr. Furman and his loved ones. From the day he was reported missing, our investigators followed every lead, worked through every piece of evidence, and stayed focused on holding those responsible accountable,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“These charges are the result of months of hard work by our detectives and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. While today’s indictments are an important step, our work is not over. We will continue searching for Mr. Furman’s remains so his family can have final closure,” Idleburg said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they recognize Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Chief Deputy of Criminal Investigations Jeffrey Facklam for his “partnership, diligence, and assistance” throughout the extensive investigation.
The state’s attorney’s office intends to file a petition to detain both suspects in custody while awaiting trial on the new case.