The Predator Who Kept Victims for Years | The Slaves In The Cellar | True Lives

This absorbing documentary investigates the terrifying phenomenon of "Collector Syndrome"—a psychological pathology where perpetrators view human beings as objects to be gathered, hidden, and possessed. Central to this exploration is the harrowing testimony of Lena Simakhina and Katya Martynova, two Russian girls who were kidnapped in 2000 and held in a soundproofed concrete bunker for nearly four years by Viktor Mokhov. We examine the chilling details of their 1,312-day imprisonment, the psychological warfare used to keep them compliant, and the incredible resilience that eventually led to their rescue. However, as forensic psychologists and international police forces reveal, the Mokhov case is not an isolated incident. The film explores how "Collector Syndrome" explains a spreading global crime wave, offering a dark perspective on the disappearance of numerous young girls who vanish without a trace. From the crime scenes to the psychiatric wards, we look behind the rhetoric to understand the "collector" mindset and the haunting possibility that many victims remain undiscovered in hidden chambers across the world. Subscribe to True Lives: https://bit.ly/3dBMxvl This film was first broadcast: 2008 Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurStoriesChannel Watch More Documentaries True Lives - https://bit.ly/3A8xRMJ Up Close - youtube.com/@UpCloseITVS Our History - https://bit.ly/3rUpdhL Our World - https://bit.ly/3ftuckM Our Stories - https://bit.ly/3ynfFyk Taste - https://bit.ly/3OZoDcV Blueprint - https://bit.ly/3ZK5UdD True Lives brings you fascinating stories of social interest from around the world. You can discover award winning documentaries, films and groundbreaking reports that capture the complexities of our daily life, with stories that will entertain, inspire and inform. Content distributed by ITV Studios.