Firearms seized before killing on Johnson estate

Princess Royal pays tribute to 56-year-old dog breeder and trainer as police force refers itself to watchdog

A HUSBAND accused of killing his wife on the Prime Minister’s family estate recently had his firearms confiscated by the police, it emerged yesterday, as the Princess Royal paid tribute to the victim. John Zurick, 67, is alleged to have shot his estranged wife, Debbie Zurick, 56, after discovering she was in a new relationship, before turning the gun on himself.

He was found by paramedics in an outbuilding and remains in hospital in a critical condition.

The Zuricks bought their cottage in Winsford, Somerset, from Stanley Johnson, the Prime Minister’s father, in 2013. Boris Johnson spent a large part of his childhood on the 500-acre estate and his father said the family was

“shocked, stunned and saddened” by the sudden death of their neighbour.

Avon and Somerset Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over “prior police contact with those involved”. The force confirmed that it had been to the cottage earlier this month to seize licensed firearms.

It was understood to have been prompted by a drink-driving incident on Feb 5, in which Mr Zurick crashed a motorcycle into a vehicle and had his licence confiscated.

A police spokesman said: “We’re satisfied that no firearms licensed to any of the occupants remained at the premises following this visit.”

Mr and Mrs Zurick, who had been married for 30 years, bred and trained Clumber spaniels, a profession through which they had met the Princess Royal, who is patron of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society.

Mr Zurick once described how he had trained a dog for the Princess but revealed on the society’s website that she once rebuked him when the hound failed to bring back a pheasant.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said yesterday: “The Princess Royal is saddened to hear of the death of Mrs Debbie Zurick. She will be sorely missed as secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society.”

Mrs Zurick, who had been treated for cancer, is believed to have left the family home in December after becoming “exasperated” with her husband, relocating to Ireland to stay with a friend. She is understood to have recently embarked on a new relationship, which had upset Mr Zurick.

He allegedly shot his wife on Saturday when she returned to the cottage to collect some of her belongings.

A friend who came to the house to pick her up was confronted by Mr Zurick. He is then said to have locked her in kennels, from where she managed to raise the alarm.

Police confirmed that a second woman, who is being treated as a key witness, was located unhurt nearby.

Police said a 67-year-old man was in custody in a Devon hospital, where was in a critical but stable condition.