Anastasia The Conspiracy
Nicholas II & Czarina Alexandra had 5 children: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia Alexei
: Anastasia Nicholaevna born
Early 1900s: Russians disgusted by war losses, deaths, and food shortages
: Nicholas II forced to give up the throne Palace stormed by soldiers (Bolshevik supporters) Nicholas and family placed under house arrest
Imperial family was moved twice 1st time to remote Siberia 2nd time to Ekaterinburg Imperial family was moved twice 1st time to remote Siberia 2nd time to Ekaterinburg
In Ekaterinburg, they were put in The Ipatiev House Lived here for 78 days Guards everywhere - even followed them to restroom In Ekaterinburg, they were put in The Ipatiev House Lived here for 78 days Guards everywhere - even followed them to restroom
: Late at night the family, their doctor, and 3 servants were awakened and told to get dressed
Told they were going to be photographed…
…in the basement.
Soldiers stormed into the room and opened fire Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, 2 servants, doctor all died instantly Soldiers stormed into the room and opened fire Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, 2 servants, doctor all died instantly
Alexei, wounded, lied on the ground Shot in the head Alexei, wounded, lied on the ground Shot in the head
Other 3 girls (& servant) had been saved by jewels They were trying to keep/smuggle the family diamonds Had sewn the jewels into their clothes - deflected the bullets Other 3 girls (& servant) had been saved by jewels They were trying to keep/smuggle the family diamonds Had sewn the jewels into their clothes - deflected the bullets
Soldiers were unnerved Didn’t know why bullets bounced off Shot again Tatiana, Maria, & other servant were killed Anastasia still lived Soldiers were unnerved Didn’t know why bullets bounced off Shot again Tatiana, Maria, & other servant were killed Anastasia still lived
Here is where the mystery begins… Soldiers report that she crawled to the corner and tucked herself into a ball
Some soldiers say she was bayoneted Some soldiers say that she survived Some soldiers say she was bayoneted Some soldiers say that she survived
Soldiers reported they did all they could to destroy evidence Poured acid and gasoline on bodies Set on fire Mass unmarked grave in woods
(Charred bones eventually found and buried)
Within days rumors start to spread about the events Rumors about a survivor Went on for over a year Within days rumors start to spread about the events Rumors about a survivor Went on for over a year
: A woman jumped off of a bridge in Berlin, Germany Taken to a mental hospital
She had no identification She claimed to be Anastasia Some believed her, some didn’t
Her story: Explained how she was huddled in the corner & bayoneted, but still survived Her story: Explained how she was huddled in the corner & bayoneted, but still survived
Said that the last soldier to leave saw that she was alive and rescued her
He ran away with her to Romania They got married He died in a street fight
Called herself Anna Anderson
Introduced to Royal family relatives Some believe Some doubt Introduced to Royal family relatives Some believe Some doubt
Arguments against: Never spoke Russian Where has she been until now? Years pass - looks change Arguments against: Never spoke Russian Where has she been until now? Years pass - looks change
Arguments for: Understood questions in Russian - chose to answer in English, German, French, and Polish Explained that she would no longer speak the language of those that killed her family Arguments for: Understood questions in Russian - chose to answer in English, German, French, and Polish Explained that she would no longer speak the language of those that killed her family
(Arguments for continued) Must be well-educated (rich) to speak so many languages Had scars on her body - claimed they were from bayonets & bullets Had same foot deformity (Arguments for continued) Must be well-educated (rich) to speak so many languages Had scars on her body - claimed they were from bayonets & bullets Had same foot deformity
1984: Anna Anderson died
Early 1990s: graves exhumed Parts of 9 skeletons found DNA testing identified: 1- Older unrelated male 3- Older unrelated females 1- Older related male 1- Older related female 3 young related females Early 1990s: graves exhumed Parts of 9 skeletons found DNA testing identified: 1- Older unrelated male 3- Older unrelated females 1- Older related male 1- Older related female 3 young related females
2 bodies Missing: 1- young related boy 1- young related girl 2 bodies Missing: 1- young related boy 1- young related girl