A 62-year-old man buried alive for four days was saved after cops heard his muffled cries for help coming from underground.
The horror came to light only after they were investigating the death of a 74-year-old woman found in her own home by a relative on Monday (13 May).
Forensic specialists were called to the scene and found she had died from multiple wounds.
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Later that day an 18-year-old man, in a state of drunkenness, was arrested at his home in the same village of Ustia in northwest Moldova.
During questioning, the youth reportedly gave confusing and inconsistent statements, as revealed on Need To Know.
As police searched his home for evidence, officers heard cries for help from nearby.
They went towards the noise and realised it was coming from underground.
They started digging and found the entrance to a makeshift basement.
Police footage released on Wednesday (15 May) shows the man being pulled out. He was conscious and had a neck wound.
The man told police that on Saturday (11 May), he and the teenager were drinking together when they started arguing.
The boy then allegedly wounded him, locked him in the basement and covered the entrance with soil.
Officers believe the young man allegedly murdered the elderly woman on Sunday (12 May) night or in the early hours of Monday.
He has been remanded into custody as police and prosecutors continue to investigate him for murder and attempted murder.
He faces up to life in prison if found guilty.
The rescued man is receiving treatment in hospital.
One local said about the deceased victim: “She was a very decent woman, no one ever had any problems with her.”
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