 However, in April 1954 he committed suicide, most likely fearing repressions for his long-term affiliation with Beria and NKVD in general.According to Pavel Sudoplatov, who witnessed a shattered Maslennikov in July 1953, Maslennikov had been subject to a lengthy interrogation about a non-existent plan of Beria's to take over absolute power using Maslennikov's troops.His suicide nearly a year later was a shock even for seasoned operatives like Sudoplatov, then incarcerated himself.