CASE CLOSED

Former Putin Aide’s Death Ruled an Accident

At a Washington, D.C., hotel.

A year-long investigation into the mysterious death of a former aide to Vladimir Putin at a Washington, D.C., hotel has concluded that Mikhail Lesin’s death was an accident. Lesin died last November at age 57 inside his room at the Dupont Circle Hotel “after days of excessive alcohol consumption.” The cause of death was previously considered to be “undetermined” by the D.C. medical examiner. “Based on the evidence, including video footage and witnesss interviews, Mr. Lesin entered his hotel room on the morning of Wednesday, November 4, 2015, after days of excessive consumption of alcohol and sustained the injuries that resulted in his death while alone in his hotel room,” the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia said. The medical examiner concluded that Lesin sustained “blunt force injuries to his head” that were mainly caused by falls.