The haunting case of a vanished family in western Kazakhstan

The chilling disappearance of a family in western Kazakhstan / Collage by Kursiv.media, photo editor: Akhtam Ziperov

One of the most disturbing crimes in Kazakhstan’s modern history — as unsettling as the plot of «True Detective» — came to light earlier this year. The unexplained disappearance of four members of the same family in Zhangeldin village of the Atyrau region for several months raised alarm and drew nationwide attention.

Bodies found, others still missing

In early January, the bodies of an elderly couple, Maksot Karabalin and Nassip Uteshkaliyeva, were discovered buried about three feet underground in an outbuilding on their property. Their adult children, daughter Meiramgul and son Nauryz, who lived with their parents, were reported missing and have not been found.

Before the discovery, Nauryz — or someone allegedly using his smartphone — began selling the family’s small livestock, telling buyers the money was needed to «get my parents treated in Tashkent,» the capital of neighboring Uzbekistan. Police later launched a search for Meiramgul and Nauryz, suspecting they may also be dead.

The bodies of Maksot Karabalin and Nassip Uteshkaliyeva were found in an outdoor kitchen, buried about 3 feet deep / Photo: Shadiyar Ostemir Investigation and suspects

Relatives of Maksot raised the alarm and reported the family’s disappearance to police. Investigators now consider the primary suspect to be the couple’s son-in-law, Sultan, who was married to their youngest daughter, Akbayan.

According to authorities, Sultan and Akbayan crossed the border into Uzbekistan last year before traveling on to another country. They are currently wanted by law enforcement.

A modest and tense household

Sultan is a native of the village of Makhambet, about 40 miles from the city of Atyrau. Reporters from Kursiv.media traveled to the village to learn more about his background.

In front of Sultan’s house, four or five cows stood in a barn beside an old, dilapidated truck. Compared with other homes in the village, the family’s living conditions appeared poor. A bloodstained feeding trough outside the fence suggested livestock had been slaughtered recently.

The suspect left his children in this house before leaving the country / Photo: Shadiyar Ostemir

Two or three small children, huddled together, peered out from a window. According to residents, Sultan and his wife, Akbayan, left their children in the house when they crossed the border.

A mother’s refusal to speak

Reporters said it was difficult to get the suspect’s mother to speak. She refused to answer questions and reacted angrily when she noticed a videographer filming. She screamed, cursed, struck him and attempted to throw the trough she was holding.

Recognizing one’s son as a suspect in such a serious crime can be devastating for any parent, particularly for a mother.

‘Digging a hole is a piece of cake’

Residents of Makhambet described Sultan as withdrawn and socially isolated, saying he rarely interacted with his peers. As a result, few people in the village said they knew him well.

One detail reporters were able to confirm was that Sultan was known locally for digging pit toilets — a common task in rural areas. Several villagers said digging a hole one to two meters deep alone would not have been difficult for him.

The situation in Zhangeldin

The landscape around Zhangeldin felt harsher than in Atyrau. Snow lay thick on the ground, and relentless wind and frost emptied the streets of the small village. Aside from the occasional passing car, there was no sign of life outdoors.

Residents said the brutality of a crime that shocked the entire country has deeply unsettled the village, where nearly everyone knows one another.

A shaken community

Even the village’s mayor, Gaisa Kanat, said he was stunned by what happened. According to him, the suspect and his wife arrived at the home of the woman’s parents on Nov. 2 last year and stayed there for three days.

Gaisa Kanat, the village akim (mayor) / Photo: Shadiyar Ostemir

As temperatures dropped in December, Kanat said he grew concerned about the family and decided to reach out directly.

 «I wrote to Nauryz on WhatsApp and asked, ‘There was a storm in the village overnight. Nauryz, where are you? How is your livestock? Is the gas still on?’» Kanat said.

The response, sent from Nauryz’s account, was brief:

«Don’t worry. I’ve already handed it over to someone.»

Villagers do not hide their initial panic. In a Kazakh village once known for leaving doors unlocked, residents now say they no longer go to bed without securing their homes — a quiet but telling sign of how deeply the crime has shaken the community.

Residents also appear weary of the steady stream of journalists arriving to question them. Many said they want to forget the tragedy and return to normal life. The identification of a suspect — and the fact that he is not originally from the village — seems to have eased tensions somewhat.

A Kazakh proverb on a banner at the entrance to the village of Zhangeldin reads «Upbringing begins at the cradle»/ Photo: Shadiyar Ostemir An international manhunt

Sultan is now being sought through Interpol. Authorities have also raised questions about how the married couple, who reportedly had no clear source of income, were able to live abroad for an extended period.

Police officials say they have concrete evidence linking Sultan to the crime.

«Our main goal now is to detain the suspect as quickly as possible,» said Meirim Yerdaulet, a spokesperson for the Atyrau regional police department.

Authorities say they hope an arrest will finally bring clarity to a case that has horrified the nation.