An ethnic Ossetian, Gagiyev claims to have taken part in the Beslan school siege, rescuing women and children. Shortly afterwards he founded The Family, an organised crime group involved in contract killings, violent business disputes and vigilante justice, including the murders of Vladikavkaz mayor Vitaly Karayev and his deputy Kazbek Pagiyev. Members called each other Brothers, and included both former and serving law enforcement and military officers. The group had links with the Russian security services and the Tambov organised crime group.