Alexander Shekhter found dead before trial for kidnapping and rape
11 october 2026 в 12:28
Alexander Shekhter, accused of kidnapping a UCLA student and raping another woman, was found dead in California. According to police, his body was discovered by a relative at the family home in Santa Monica on the evening of October 5, a day before a scheduled court hearing in the case.
Arriving officers and fire department personnel confirmed the death of the 26-year-old Shekhter. Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Lewis Gilmore stated that the death is being treated as an apparent suicide, with no signs of foul play at this time.
Shekhter was charged in April with the kidnapping of a UCLA student in March and the rape of another woman in October 2025 in Culver City. According to prosecutors, on March 8, he kidnapped the student by holding her in his car and threatening violence until she managed to escape. During the investigation, it was revealed that he may also be connected to another sexual crime that occurred on October 12, 2025.
Shekhter’s attorney, Debra S. White, stated that his family criticizes the actions of prosecutor Nathan Hochman and believes that the case is more complex than presented in the headlines. She noted that Shekhter suffered from autism and anxiety, and that the accusations could cause serious harm before the full story is known. Shekhter was charged with kidnapping for the purpose of committing another crime, as well as multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.
Arriving officers and fire department personnel confirmed the death of the 26-year-old Shekhter. Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Lewis Gilmore stated that the death is being treated as an apparent suicide, with no signs of foul play at this time.
Shekhter was charged in April with the kidnapping of a UCLA student in March and the rape of another woman in October 2025 in Culver City. According to prosecutors, on March 8, he kidnapped the student by holding her in his car and threatening violence until she managed to escape. During the investigation, it was revealed that he may also be connected to another sexual crime that occurred on October 12, 2025.
Shekhter’s attorney, Debra S. White, stated that his family criticizes the actions of prosecutor Nathan Hochman and believes that the case is more complex than presented in the headlines. She noted that Shekhter suffered from autism and anxiety, and that the accusations could cause serious harm before the full story is known. Shekhter was charged with kidnapping for the purpose of committing another crime, as well as multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
