Mother of Okolchitsa Victim Shares Heartfelt Remembrance, Questions Official Narrative
The mother of Nikolay Zlatkov, one of the three men who died in the February 2026 incident near Okolchitsa, Bulgaria, has shared a poignant remembrance of her son and the other victims, Ivaylo Kalushev and Alexander Makulev. Ralitsa Asenova posted a previously unseen photograph from 2020 on social media, depicting her son and Makulev enjoying a mushroom-picking trip with Kalushev.
A Moment of Freedom Remembered
Asenova’s post recalls a time before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the three men sought respite in nature. The photograph, taken by Kalushev, captures a moment of carefree joy as they collected mushrooms in the mountains. Asenova emphasized Kalushev’s attentiveness and desire to ensure the children’s well-being, stating he sent her the photo to reassure her they were safe and enjoying their freedom.
Questioning the Official Account
Asenova’s post also expresses disbelief and sorrow regarding the official explanation of events, which authorities have ruled as a murder-suicide. She questions the narrative that Kalushev, who is described as a protective and “superhuman” figure, would intentionally harm himself, particularly given the injuries he sustained. She suggests he fought to protect his friends, Decho and Flame, until the very end.
Investigation Status
As of March 5, 2026, the Prosecutor’s Office reported no new information in the investigation of the Petrohan and Okolchitsa cases since February 18th. Supervising prosecutor Tsvetelin Radoynov indicated that all available information had been publicly disclosed and requested that further inquiries regarding evidence collection be directed to the investigating body Fakti.bg.
Background of the Case
The incident began to unfold when 15-year-old Alexander Makulev went missing on January 29, 2026, and was believed to be with Ivaylo Kalushev. Kalushev and Nikolay Zlatkov, a founder of the “National Agency for the Control of Protected Areas,” were also sought by police BNT News. The bodies of Kalushev, Zlatkov, and Makulev were later discovered in a camper near Okolchitsa on February 8, 2026.
Autopsies revealed that the deaths occurred 24 to 36 hours before the bodies were found, between February 6th and 7th. Anal samples were taken from Kalushev, Zlatkov, and Makulev due to allegations of pedophilia, but these tests did not confirm the presence of Kalushev’s sperm Fakti.bg.