Andrzej Kunowski, infamously known as “The Beast of Mława,” was a Polish serial rapist and murderer whose criminal activities spanned multiple countries and decades.
After a series of violent sexual assaults in Poland, Kunowski fled to England using a fake passport, where he later committed the brutal 1997 murder of 12-year-old Katerina Koneva. Despite escaping justice in his home country, his crimes eventually caught up with him, leading to a life sentence in the UK. His violent legacy continues to haunt cold cases, as he remains a prime suspect in other disappearances and murders that have yet to be solved.
Early Life
Andrzej Kunowski was born on 29 March 1956 in Warsaw, Poland. His family moved to Mława, where his father was offered an apartment and a construction job. Kunowski was described as a troubled child who often had issues at school and struggled with social interactions. As a teenager, he stole from his parents, left home, and travelled across the country.
Crimes in Poland
Kunowski’s criminal record began at age 17 when he was arrested for rape. Initially sentenced to three years, he reoffended soon after release, engaging in multiple rapes while working as an ambulance driver. Reports suggest he used his ambulance to spot and attack young women, often dragging them into nearby fields.
In 1980, he faced charges of attempted murder, 25 counts of rape, and other crimes. Although prosecutors sought the maximum penalty, Kunowski received a 15-year sentence but was paroled in 1991. He was later a suspect in the 1992 disappearance of 14-year-old Agnieszka Grzybicka but was never charged. In 1995, Kunowski was re-arrested for rape but evaded custody by obtaining a fake passport and fleeing to England.
Murder of Katerina Koneva
Kunowski illegally entered England using a false passport, securing a job as a dry cleaner. On May 22, 1997, he followed 12-year-old Katerina Koneva to her home, where he forced his way inside, strangling her with a cord. The attack was interrupted by Katerina’s father, who chased Kunowski until he threatened him with a knife and fled. Although evidence was collected at the scene, police were unable to identify the assailant until years later.
Suspected Victims
Kunowski is also suspected in the disappearances of Elizabeth Chau, a 19-year-old University of West London student who vanished in 1999, and 27-year-old Lola Shenkoya, who disappeared several months later while walking home. These cases remain unsolved, though Kunowski is considered the primary suspect.
Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment
In 2002, Kunowski assaulted a 21-year-old Korean student. She escaped and reported him, leading to his arrest and a 9-year prison sentence. While imprisoned, his DNA linked him to Katerina Koneva’s murder. In March 2004, Kunowski was convicted of her murder at the Old Bailey and sentenced to life without parole. Prosecutors and police labelled him as one of the most dangerous offenders they had encountered.
