THE NEIGHBOUR of a girl mauled to death by pigs knocked her out and left her to be eaten alive in a shocking new twist.
It is now thought that Igor Zaika, 40, assaulted Milena Shevelyova, 17, after a row with her father that same day.
The teen was killed by the animals on Saturday evening at her family’s farm in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia.
Police believed that a particularly aggressive pig had led the attack, knocking her down and then severing her femoral artery.
But new details have led to the arrest and charging of Milenia’s neighbour, after he confessed to assaulting her in a moment of shock.
Igor told cops: “I opened the door and saw his daughter leaving. I hit her twice.
“I hit her the first time, she [pushed me] away. I hit her the second time.”
“I hit her a second time, she fell over there.”
The man had reportedly fought with the girl’s father the same day and entered the pigpen in the evening with the aim of setting it on fire.
It has also been revealed that Igor “harboured a grudge” and intended to kill the livestock belonging to the family.
But he was caught by surprise when the child came in, and police believe he attacked her before he ran away.
He hit her on the head several times until she lost consciousness and then left her to the pigs.
Igor has been arrested and charged with causing death by negligence.
The Investigative Committee of Russia for Krasnoyarsk Krai and the Republic of Khakassia said: “During the investigation, investigators and forensic specialists, in cooperation with police officers, established that the girl’s death might be linked to a resident of the village of Ushkanka in the Uzhursky District, who lives nearby.
“He allegedly inflicted bodily injuries on the girl, causing her to lose consciousness.
“Currently, the suspect has been brought to the investigative department for further investigative actions.”
The teenage victim was found by a friend with extensive wounds on her body and face following the vicious event.
Her parents had asked the friend to check up on her after they were unable to get in touch with their daughter.
Tributes have been paid to the schoolgirl following the tragedy.
The victim’s boyfriend Vladimir Bedny, 18, posted: “You will forever remain in my heart.
“Forgive me for everything, my most beloved girl.”
It is still unclear how long Milena was left alone to bleed out for.
Police had previously been following testimony from her parents that one sow in particular has often been angry and aggressive.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Krasnoyarsk Krai said at the time: “The prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl in the village of Ushkanka, Uzhursky District.
“According to investigators, on the evening of 23rd November, the 11th-grade student went to feed livestock in an outbuilding in the yard of her home while her parents were in Krasnoyarsk.
“Closer to midnight, a minor friend of the girl found her in the enclosure with domestic pigs and large cattle, with wounds on her head and body from animal bites.
“He called the neighbours for help.
“The medical team that arrived at the scene confirmed the schoolgirl’s death.
“The prosecutor of Uzhursky District promptly arrived at the site of the incident and coordinated the work of the investigative and operational team.
“The body was sent for forensic examination to determine the exact cause of death.
“Authorities are investigating the circumstances that contributed to the tragedy.
“If grounds are found, all necessary prosecutorial response measures will be taken.”
Investigations continue.
