Benbrook mom pleads not guilty to murdering daughters

Image 1 of 3

The Benbrook mother accused of murdering her young daughters pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.

Sofya Tsygankova showed no emotion as she stood before a judge in her initial court appearance. She had visible bandages on her chest and wounds on her wrists.

According to an arrest warrant, the 31-year-old repeatedly stabbed herself and potentially attempted a drug overdose after killing her 1 and 5-year-old daughters last Thursday.

Police said when they arrived at the home they found Tsygankova in the master bedroom rocking back and forth on the ground and making undistinguishable noises. Police saw blood on both of her arms and a puncture wound in her chest.

Her daughters were found in separate beds in the family’s home. The warrant indicates they were suffocated by pillows.

Tsygankova’s estranged husband, world-renowned Ukranian pianist Vadym Kholodenko, discovered the crime scene and called 911. He had recently fired for divorce and had been staying at a hotel.

Tsygankova told police two days after the incident that “I think I committed suicide” and she “didn’t want to live.” She admitted to stabbing herself repeatedly and taking a large amount of pills. Officers also found empty pill bottles inside the home, it what appeared to be an attempted drug overdose.

Investigators later discovered that Tsygankova had visited a mental health facility the night before the children were found murdered. She had been given a prescription for a drug used to treat bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia.

The judge set Tsygankova's bond at $2 million, $1 million for each capital murder charge.

Tuesday night there was a memorial service for the two young girls. Kholendo played at the service.