Derevyanko, editor-in-chief of Vechernyaya Odessa, a popular and influential thrice-weekly newspaper, was fatally shot at point-blank range on his way to work near the Press House, where the newspaper’s offices are located. Colleagues believe the murder of Derevyanko, who was editor of Vechernyaya Odessa for 24 years, was related to the newspaper’s opposition to the policies of Odessa’s mayor. The chief regional prosecutor declared the murder a contract killing and launched an official investigation. Local authorities announced in September that they had arrested a suspect, described as a professional assassin, who confessed to killing Derevyanko, but they gave no details about his confession.
