British millionaire Barry Pring 'murdered' by wife, inquest hears

Relatives of a British millionaire who died in a hit and run in Kiev have told an inquest they believe he was murdered by his wife.

Barry Pring, 47, died in 2008 while celebrating his first wedding anniversary with wife Ganna Ziuzina, 28, in her native Ukraine.

He was killed trying to hail a taxi on the edge of a dual carriageway after dinner, the inquest heard.Ziuzina had returned to the restaurant to retrieve a glove she had left behind, The Guardian reports, during which time Pring was hit by a speeding car. Witnesses said it was travelling at around 75mph and did not brake or slow as it left the scene.

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After Pring's death, Ziuzina, who did not attend the funeral, headed to London, sold his Range Rover and the contents of his flat and took money from his UK bank account, the inquest heard.

In a statement read to Exeter County Hall, Pring's mother, Irene, said: "We are sure that Ganna had some involvement in Barry's death to get an inheritance."

Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland recorded a verdict of unlawful killing, saying the evidence was "overwhelming" that Pring's death was not an accident.

She said: "I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Barry John Pring has been unlawfully killed."His guard "was lowered by inebriation", she said, and the car "had stolen licence plates and did not brake or stop".

Pring's family, who have spent around £100,000 on a private investigation of the case, said they were always suspicious of the Ukrainian, who they claimed was "cold" and "not loving or caring", while the millionaire was "infatuated" with her.

The couple met on a dating website and married in 2007, following a four-day engagement. A friend told the hearing the wedding was "unnatural and false".

Pring's mother said Ziuzina also claimed to be a teacher at first, when she was really a lap dancer and stripper.

Ziuzina did not appear at the inquest, despite being requested to attend, saying she had nothing to add to previous statements made to Kiev police.