Bulgarian Police Investigation Continues into Deaths at Petrokhan Hut

Investigations are ongoing into the deaths of Ivaylo Kalushev, Nikolay Zlatkov, and Alexander Makulev, whose bodies were discovered in a camper van near Mount Okolchitsa in Bulgaria. The case has drawn attention due to discrepancies in the timeline of events and questions raised by family members regarding the official cause of death.

Timeline of Events

The Ministry of Internal Affairs received information regarding the location of Kalushev’s camper van as early as February 3, 2026. This information originated from the Mercedes representative office in Bulgaria, which identified the vehicle’s location above the village of Zgorigrad in the Vratsa region the day after the discovery of the three bodies at the Petrokhan hut.

Despite this early lead, the camper van was not physically located until February 8, 2026, when a local cattle breeder discovered it while checking a summer barn in the Vrachansko mountains.

Investigators reported detecting a signal from the camper’s Starlink device on February 3, prompting a search of a large perimeter, which initially proved unsuccessful.

Investigation and Autopsy Findings

Initial investigations indicated no signs of external intervention in the deaths of the three men. Whereas, this conclusion has been met with skepticism from family members seeking further clarification.

Preliminary autopsy results, published by Zlatkov’s mother, suggest he died on February 5 or 6, 2026. The full details of the autopsies have not been publicly released.

Ongoing Concerns

The delay between receiving information about the camper’s location and its actual discovery has raised questions about the efficiency of the investigation. Family members continue to seek answers and challenge the initial findings, hoping for a more comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.