A man from Tresna Park in Randalstown, Northern Ireland, has been sentenced to life in prison for brutally attacking his sister, Alesia Nazarova, by repeatedly stabbing her in the neck and then setting her on fire in her home while she was still alive. The 37-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while her 12-year-old daughter required hospital treatment.

In a sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Madam Justice McBride imposed a life sentence with a minimum of 24 years before the possibility of release. Addressing the defendant, the judge described him as one of the most brutal, remorseless, and cold-blooded murderers she had encountered, highlighting his callous actions of slitting his sister’s throat with a kitchen knife and then setting the scene on fire.

The court proceedings revealed the harrowing details of the murder, which occurred in March 2023. Emergency services responded to a house fire where Ms. Nazarova was found deceased, having suffered severe burns and multiple stab wounds. The post-mortem examination indicated that she was still alive when set on fire by her brother, causing extensive injuries that ultimately led to her death.

The siblings, originally from Lithuania, had been living together after Bracas had a falling out with their parents and was taken in by his sister. Following a violent altercation on the day of the murder, Bracas confessed to killing his sister, attempting to burn down the property, and using her bank card for purchases. He expressed feeling unappreciated by his sister and harbored resentment towards her, citing household chores and perceived mistreatment as motives for his actions.

Prior to this incident, Bracas had a history of violent behavior, including assaulting his parents and strangling his mother’s cat. His sentencing includes a minimum of 24 years in prison before any possibility of parole, leaving the decision of release to the Parole Commissioners after the designated time has been served.