Roman Vladimirovich Burtsev was born on April 13, 1971, in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, a city in the Rostov Oblast of Russia. He was born into a family that struggled with alcoholism. As a child, Roman was quiet and did not stand out among his peers. He was introverted and often kept to himself.

Roman Vladimirovich Burtsev was a Russian serial killer who committed his crimes between 1993 and 1996. His first murders occurred on 5 September 1993, when he killed two siblings, 12-year-old Yevgeny Churilov and 7-year-old Olesya Churilova. Burtsev encountered the children near a dump in the Zavodsky settlement. He intended to harm Olesya and killed Yevgeny to eliminate a witness. He struck him multiple times with his fists and a metal plate. Afterwards, he raped and strangled Olesya, leaving their bodies hidden in a garbage pit.

After this initial crime, Burtsev continued to take more victims. He killed again on 17 July 1994, taking the life of 12-year-old Marina Alexeyeva. Then, on 23 May 1995, he raped and killed 9-year-old Anya Kulinkina at the bank of the Donets River. His next victim was also 9 years old, named Ira Ternovskaya, whom he killed on 1 July 1996. Later, on 16 July 1996, he murdered 12-year-old Natasha Kirbabina.

Burtsev was different from other murderers as he made great efforts to hide the bodies of his victims. Most were discovered only after his arrest, except for one case. After the murder of Olesya, he borrowed a spade from a nearby elderly woman to bury the body. This woman later provided a detailed description of Burtsev, which helped the police.

He was arrested on 17 July 1996, and once in custody, he confessed to all the murders. Burtsev's trial resulted in a death sentence, which was later changed to life imprisonment. He is currently serving his sentence in White Swan prison in Solikamsk, Perm Krai. Throughout his time in prison, he has written letters seeking medical assistance for various health issues.