Couple Charged After Keeping 8-Year-Old Girl's Corpse in U-Haul for 3 Months

Mandie Miller and Aleksander Kurmoyarov face abuse and murder charges in the death of Miller's adopted niece Meela.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A 36-year-old Washington woman and her 31-year-old boyfriend have been charged after they kept the corpse of the woman's 8-year-old adopted daughter in a U-Haul for 3 months following the child's death from abuse and starvation. Mandie Miller and Aleksander Kurmoyarov allegedly tied the girl, Meela Miller, with zip ties, smashed her toes with a hammer, and starved her until she died weighing just 26 pounds. The couple then kept Meela's body for 3 months before renting a U-Haul to transport it across the country.

Why it matters

This horrific case highlights the need for better oversight and support systems to protect vulnerable adopted and foster children from abuse. It also raises questions about the couple's mental state and whether the criminal justice system is equipped to handle such extreme cases of child neglect and violence.

The details

According to authorities, Mandie Miller and Aleksander Kurmoyarov lived with Meela Miller's body for 3 months after her death in September 2022 because they "wanted to spend more time with her." In December 2022, the couple rented a U-Haul, placed a coffin with Meela's body inside, and drove 1,100 miles from Spokane, Washington to Mitchell, South Dakota. At a funeral home, the couple requested that Meela be buried, but workers contacted police after they could not provide documentation of her death.

  • Meela Miller died in September 2022.
  • In December 2022, the couple rented a U-Haul and transported Meela's body across the country.

The players

Mandie Miller

A 36-year-old Washington state woman who is Meela Miller's adoptive mother and biological aunt.

Aleksander Kurmoyarov

Mandie Miller's 31-year-old boyfriend.

Meela Miller

Mandie Miller's 8-year-old adopted daughter, who died of abuse and starvation.

Andrea Miller

Meela Miller's biological mother, who forgave her sister Mandie for Meela's murder.

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What they’re saying

“You did this with no remorse, murdering my third child, my beautiful daughter, Meela Rose Miller. Named after our sister, Amelia Rose Miller, my best friend, my sister and auntie to my children, a Marine who died in 2013 at 23.”

— Andrea Miller, Meela Miller's biological mother

“My daughter did not deserve any abuse or neglect from me. She most definitely didn't deserve any abuse from Alex.”

— Mandie Miller (KREM)

What’s next

Aleksander Kurmoyarov is set to be sentenced on Tuesday for his role in Meela Miller's death.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for better safeguards and support systems to protect vulnerable adopted and foster children from abuse and neglect. It also raises difficult questions about the criminal justice system's ability to handle such extreme cases of violence against minors.