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Suspected child abductor found hanged in prison cell

An investigation is underway

MOSCOW, October 2 (Itar-Tass) — A suspected child abductor has been found hanged in a prison cell, the Interior Ministry's press service reported on Tuesday.

"Alexander Maximov, arrested on suspicion of kidnapping Rostov schoolgirl Dasha Popova, was found hanged in a cell of the remand prison," police said.

An investigation is underway.

Dasha Popova, 9, did not return home after school on September 19. She was found alive in the Almaz market in Rostov on September 27. Alexander Maximov, b.1955, was detained on suspicion of involvement in the crime. Maximov is an entrepreneur from the town of Aksai. The investigators said he had kidnapped the girl for ransom, as she had walked up to the entrance of her apartment house on her way from school.

The child was ferried tied in the trunk of a car, and only given bread and water.

The investigators also said Maximov had planned to contact Dasha's parents to demand money for her release. He came for ransom to the market where his acquaintance worked. "Upon seeing the girl in the trunk of the car, she immediately reported the fact to police," an Investigative Committee official earlier said.

At present, psychologists are working with the child. Taking part in the search for Dasha were all regional Police and more than 20,000 volunteers.