No Death Penalty For Pianist’s Wife Indicted In Kids’ Deaths

Prosecutors in Fort Worth won’t seek the death penalty if the 32-year-old estranged wife of an internationally known pianist is convicted of capital murder for the deaths of her two young daughters.

An attorney for Sofya Tsygankova, Joetta Keane, tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that her client’s family and friends are relieved at Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson’s decision. A spokeswoman for the prosecutor, Samantha Jordan, said Thursday that Wilson made the decision after reviewing the investigation and circumstances of the slayings.

Tsygankova is charged with suffocating 1-year-old Michaela Kholodenko and 5-year-old Nika Kholodenko March 17 at her home suburban Fort Worth home.

Photo: Richard W. Rodriguezl/Star-Telegram via AP

With his wife Sofya Tsygankova at the 2014 Cliburn Gala at Ridglea Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tsygankova, the estranged wife of pianist Vadym Kholodenko, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She’s jailed on $2 million bond.

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