Bulgarian police are searching for Ivaylo Kalushev, a man wanted in connection with a triple homicide at the Petrohan mountain lodge in western Bulgaria, after reports suggested he may be hiding in the village of Bulgari in the Strandzha region.
The murders, discovered earlier this week, have shocked local communities and drawn national attention. Authorities believe Kalushev may have used a property he owns in Bulgari as a base, though no one was found there during police searches. Residents said they had not seen him in the village but noticed an unusual police presence.
Cameras operated by the country’s Road Infrastructure Agency reportedly tracked a camper van registered to Kalushev moving from the Black Sea coast toward the capital, Sofia, at the end of January. A 15-year-old boy, the son of a speleologist who has known Kalushev for decades, was reportedly traveling with him. After Feb. 1, their phones were switched off, leaving their movements untraceable. Authorities have issued alerts for four vehicles linked to the trio.
Kalushev, 35, has also been associated with a private adventure camp, the “School for Adventure ROUK,” which organizes children’s activities in protected areas. The organization’s registration has reportedly lapsed, though its social media accounts show continued activity.
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior has launched an internal review in response to the case, which has raised questions about oversight of youth camps and the monitoring of high-risk individuals in the country.
Investigators reported that Kalushev sent a text message to his mother on Feb. 2, apologizing and insisting that reports circulating in the media were false. Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov said authorities do not rule out the possibility that Kalushev may attempt to take his own life.
The victims have been identified as Decho Vassilev, 45; Ivaylo Ivanov, 49; and Plamen Stattev. Authorities confirmed gunshot wounds but have not clarified whether the deaths were murder or suicide. Officials said firearms were recovered at the scene, along with large dogs that were reportedly burned inside the lodge.