In a Christmas nativity scene at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, one-year-old Michaela Kholodenko played baby Jesus; her five-year-old sister portrayed one of the herald angels.
Their mother, Sofya Tsygankova, was cast as Mary.
On Tuesday night, at that same church, mourners gathered to remember the sisters who were allegedly murdered by their mother.
According to arrest affidavits, the estranged wife of acclaimed pianist Vadym Kholodenko sought mental health help just one day before the killings.
Kholodenko called 911 on Thursday morning and said his wife was going crazy, had blood on her, and that their children were in bed, not moving.
The first responding Benbrook officer said Kholodenko appeared dazed... in shock.
The officer found Sofya Tsygankova kneeling on the bedroom floor, wearing a bloody nightgown, “rocking back-and-forth and making noises.”
The infant Michaela was on the bed. Cold. Ashen. A pillow partially resting on her head.
Nika lay dead in another bed. A similar pillow was near her head.
Both pillowcases appeared to show signs of biological fluids. The affidavit stops short of saying the children had been smothered.
Tsygankova had cuts on her wrist and chest; self-inflicted, police say.
Police found an empty 30-count bottle of an anti-psychotic prescription filled the day before. It’s used for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.
Officers learned Tsygankova has a history with Tarrant County MHMR community-based mental health centers, and had visited an MHMR facility the day before the killings.
Tsygankova reportedly told police: “I think I committed suicide.” She said “she didn’t want to live” ... “didn’t see any future for me and the kids.”
And she asked an investigator: “Did I do anything bad to my kids?”
Family friends have told WFAA that Tsygankova doted on her daughters. She is now charged with capital murder with a bond of $2 million, $1 million for each of her daughters.
The warrant states that police spoke with Tsygankova's sister, Anna, who said her sister "had been going through some difficult times because of the divorce" pending with Kholodenko. She had asked a friend to stop by the house when her sister didn't answer the phone, stating that Tsygankova has a history with mental health issues.
Court records revealed previously that the couple stopped living together last August after about five years of marriage. Kholodenko filed for divorce four months before the children were found dead.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Nika and Michaela Kholodenko Young Artist Fund to be administered by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. If you wish to make a contribution, there are several ways to do so:
- Call the FWSO Development Office at 817.665.6500.
- Mail a check made out to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra c/o Development Office at 330 E. 4th Street, Suite 200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Please reference the Kholodenko Fund in the memo line.
- Contribute online at www.fwsymphony.org/donatenow. Select Tribute/Memorial Gift, and reference the Kholodenko Fund in the "Reason for Giving" field.
