Couple Charged After Driving Corpse of Abused 8-Year-Old Across Country

Mandie Miller sentenced to 32 years in prison for homicide by abuse, assault, and unlawful imprisonment of adopted daughter Meela.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A woman and her boyfriend from Washington state were arrested for taking the body of the woman's 8-year-old adopted daughter on a road trip across the country after the girl died from abuse and starvation. Mandie Miller was sentenced to 32 years in prison, while her boyfriend Aleksander Kurmoyarov pleaded guilty to murder, assault, and unlawful imprisonment and is awaiting sentencing.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of child abuse and neglect, as well as the disturbing lengths some perpetrators will go to cover up their crimes. It also raises questions about the child welfare system and how cases of abuse can slip through the cracks, with devastating results.

The details

According to authorities, Miller and Kurmoyarov lived with Meela's body for three months after she died in September 2022 because they 'wanted to spend more time with her.' In December 2022, the couple rented a U-Haul, placed Meela's body in a coffin, and drove thousands of miles from Spokane, Washington to Mitchell, South Dakota. At a funeral home in South Dakota, the couple asked to have Meela, who was Miller's biological niece that she had adopted, buried. Employees at the funeral home then contacted police when the couple could not provide documentation of Meela's death.

  • Meela died in September 2022.
  • In December 2022, Miller and Kurmoyarov rented a U-Haul and drove Meela's body across the country.
  • On February 6, 2026, Mandie Miller was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
  • On February 9, 2026, Aleksander Kurmoyarov is scheduled to be sentenced.

The players

Mandie Miller

A woman from Washington state who was sentenced to 32 years in prison for her involvement in the death of her 8-year-old adopted daughter Meela.

Aleksander Kurmoyarov

Mandie Miller's boyfriend, who pleaded guilty to murder, assault, and unlawful imprisonment for his role in Meela's death and is awaiting sentencing.

Meela Miller

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

Andrea Miller

Meela's biological mother, who addressed her sister Mandie during the sentencing hearing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You did this with no remorse, murdering my third child, my beautiful daughter, Meela Rose Miller.”

— Andrea Miller, Meela's biological mother

“She restrained her for hours upon hours, day after day. Unbeknownst to them, their home camera system recorded them assaulting Meela, and unbeknownst to them, their home camera system recorded them tying her to a car seat with zip ties to restrain her.”

— Emily Sullivan, Spokane County deputy prosecutor (KREM)

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

— Mandie Miller

What’s next

Aleksander Kurmoyarov is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, February 9, 2026.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical need for better oversight and support systems to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect, as well as the importance of swift action by authorities when such crimes are discovered.