Victims of the Romanov Murder
The Russian Royal Family and Its Servants Were Killed in 1918
The Romanovs, along with a doctor, three servants, and a family dog, were brutally murdered by Bolsheviks.
Who suffered at the hands of the Bolsheviks on the night the last Tsar of Russia was murdered? And how, exactly, did they perish?
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Nicholas II
Tsar Nicholas II was one of the first individuals to perish in the Ipatiev House basement in July 1918. While each executioner (12 in all) had his own target, some wanted to be able to boast that he, himself, had actually shot the Tsar. However, it was Yakov Yurovsky, the leader of the executioners, who shot Nicholas II first. This began the massecre that ensued.
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Alexandra Fyodorovna
Empress Alexandra died in the chair she was sitting in. Her complaints of sciatica often gave her the excuse to sit or lay instead of stand, and it was at her request that chairs be brought into the basement for both her and Alexei, who was often unable to stand or walk.
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Olga Nikolaevna
Grand Duchess Olga died in approximately the same moments as her mother. Even though the executioners were ordered to aim for the hearts of their victims, Olga was shot in the head.
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Maria, Tatiana, and Anastasia Nikolaevna
The Grand Duchesses Maria, Tatiana, and Anastastia lived minutes longer than their fellow female family members. The jewels sewn into their clothing prevented bullets from penetrating, and the Tsar's daughters were essentially mowed down with bullets.
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Alexei Nikolaevich
Tsarevich Alexei, unfortunately, survived long enough to be kicked in the head by one of the executioners. It was Yurovsky who shot two bullets into the side of Alexei's head to make sure that the sickly Tsarevich was finally dead.
Victims of the Romanov Murder - Demidova
Demidova, the Tsaritsa's lady's maid, suffered perhaps the most brutality that night. Having survived the torrent of bullets, the executioners went after her with bayonets. Reportedly, she was stabbed more than 30 times with dull bayonet blades.
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Dr. Botkin
Dr. Botkin, a close friend of the family, was one of the first to die on the night of the execution. He was the person responsible for waking the Romanov family when Yakov Yurovsky decided to move the family to the basement under false pretences.
Victims of the Romanov Murder – Trupp and Kharitonov
Trupp, Tsar Nicholas' valet, and Kharitonov, the cook, both died quickly when the first of the shooting began. They had been with the Romanovs since the beginning of the imprisonment at the Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg.
The bodies were reportedly disfigured further so that potential investigators would not be able to identify the remains. After a first burial attempt, the bodies were moved and further destroyed by acid and fire.
References
Lieven, Dominic. Nicholas II: Twilight of the Empire. New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 1993.
Massie, Robert K. The Romanovs: The Final Chapter. New York: Random House, 1995
