Why the FBI does not open the case of the suspicious death of Mikhail Lesin? – Google Search google.com/search?q=Why+the+… AI Overview . After assisting the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI helped determine that Lesin’s death was an accident and the case was officially closed in October 2016.The FBI is not investigating the death of Mikhail Lesin because its involvement ended with the conclusion of the official investigationDetails from the official investigation:Initial findings: Lesin was found dead in a Washington, D.C. hotel room on November 5, 2015, with blunt force injuries to his head, neck, and torso. The initial manner of death was ruled “undete

Why the FBI does not open the case of the suspicious death of Mikhail Lesin? – Google Search google.com/search?q=Why+the+…
AI Overview
. After assisting the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI helped determine that Lesin’s death was an accident and the case was officially closed in October 2016.The FBI is not investigating the death of Mikhail Lesin because its involvement ended with the conclusion of the official investigationDetails from the official investigation:Initial findings: Lesin was found dead in a Washington, D.C. hotel room on November 5, 2015, with blunt force injuries to his head, neck, and torso. The initial manner of death was ruled “undetermined”.
Final ruling: In October 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department, with the FBI’s assistance, changed the manner of death to “accident”.
Contributing factor: The revised finding cited acute ethanol (alcohol) intoxication as a contributing factor, stating that Lesin had been drinking excessively and sustained the fatal injuries from falls while alone in his room.
Persistent suspicions and counter-narrativesDespite the official conclusion, speculation and doubts about Lesin’s death have persisted, fueled by several factors:Potential informant: Some intelligence and law enforcement sources suggested Lesin had been scheduled to meet with Justice Department officials to discuss the inner workings of the Russian state-funded network RT and had been living in fear for his life.
Unusual injuries: Critics found it suspicious that a man of Lesin’s age would suffer such extensive blunt force trauma from accidental falls. Medical reports noted a fractured hyoid bone in his neck, an injury sometimes associated with strangulation.
Missing evidence: A gap of several hours existed in hotel surveillance footage from the hallway on the night Lesin died.
History of suspicious deaths: Lesin’s death, along with others among high-profile Russians abroad, has led some to believe he was murdered.
Alternative intelligence report: A memo written by former British spy Christopher Steele, compiled for the FBI, alleged that Russian agents beat Lesin to death. However, this report did not change the official conclusion.
Sanctions and alleged corruption: Senator Roger Wicker had previously called on the FBI to investigate Lesin for potential money laundering related to his properties in California, an action that may have strained Lesin’s standing in Russia.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 9, 2025