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Millionaire Barry Pring 'murdered' by Ukrainian wife, inquest told | Millionaire Barry Pring 'murdered' by Ukrainian wife, inquest told |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The family of a millionaire businessman "are sure" he was killed for his money by his Ukrainian wife, an inquest has heard. | The family of a millionaire businessman "are sure" he was killed for his money by his Ukrainian wife, an inquest has heard. |
Barry Pring, 47, was killed by a speeding car as he tried to hail a taxi on the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway in Kiev in 2008. | Barry Pring, 47, was killed by a speeding car as he tried to hail a taxi on the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway in Kiev in 2008. |
His wife, Ganna Ziuzina, had returned to a restaurant for a missing glove. | His wife, Ganna Ziuzina, had returned to a restaurant for a missing glove. |
The coroner at Exeter County Hall, Dr Elizabeth Earland, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing. | |
More on the millionaire 'murdered' by his wife, and other news | More on the millionaire 'murdered' by his wife, and other news |
She said: "His guard was lowered by inebriation. The car had stolen licence plates and did not brake or stop. | |
"I am satisfied that having heard all the evidence... much of it circumstantial, nevertheless, in my view it is overwhelming. | |
"I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Barry John Pring has been unlawfully killed." | |
She said the case demonstrated the difficulty in investigating a case of a death abroad, adding: "Our thoughts and condolences must go to the family who have endured years and years of distress and unhappiness." | |
Close friend Peter Clifford, a lawyer, told the inquest he had "no reasonable doubt" that Barry was murdered. | |
Ms Ziuzina, known as Anna, was 19 years younger than her husband. She tried to claim his assets within days of his death. | |
His family believe he was killed in a staged hit and run accident. | |
The couple met online in 2006 and were married in 2007 following a four-day engagement. | |
Mr Pring's mother, Irene Pring, said Ms Ziuzina claimed to be a teacher when the pair first met, but she was in fact a lap dancer and stripper. | Mr Pring's mother, Irene Pring, said Ms Ziuzina claimed to be a teacher when the pair first met, but she was in fact a lap dancer and stripper. |
She said: "We are sure Anna had some involvement in his death to inherit his money and property. | She said: "We are sure Anna had some involvement in his death to inherit his money and property. |
"I was quite surprised how cold she was with Barry. She did not lift a finger, she was a lazy thing." | |
The inquest heard Ms Ziuzina sold her husband's Range Rover, contents from his flat and moved funds from his bank account. | The inquest heard Ms Ziuzina sold her husband's Range Rover, contents from his flat and moved funds from his bank account. |
The hearing was also told she was "entitled to the first £200,000 of his estate" and that computer records revealed "she was having an affair with a Ukrainian man". | The hearing was also told she was "entitled to the first £200,000 of his estate" and that computer records revealed "she was having an affair with a Ukrainian man". |
Greater Devon coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland said "strenuous attempts" had been made to get her to attend the inquest, but without success. | Greater Devon coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland said "strenuous attempts" had been made to get her to attend the inquest, but without success. |
In a statement, Ms Ziuzina said she had made "three separate statements to Ukrainian police" and did not believe she could "add anything further". | In a statement, Ms Ziuzina said she had made "three separate statements to Ukrainian police" and did not believe she could "add anything further". |
Det Con Jonathan Watts, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said Mr Pring was hit by a car with no lights, speeding at 75mph. | Det Con Jonathan Watts, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said Mr Pring was hit by a car with no lights, speeding at 75mph. |
He also said witnesses at the scene in Kiev described the killing "as a deliberate act". | He also said witnesses at the scene in Kiev described the killing "as a deliberate act". |
The Ukrainian police closed an inquiry into his death, but relaunched it in 2011 as a murder inquiry. The case is still active "but not actively pursued". | The Ukrainian police closed an inquiry into his death, but relaunched it in 2011 as a murder inquiry. The case is still active "but not actively pursued". |
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