Family fury at Black Widow’s money claims
‘They want to get rid of me’
THE family of a British millionaire killed in Ukraine have hit out at claims by his internet bride – who has been linked to the death – that they squandered his fortune.
Former stripper Ganna Ziuzina – dubbed the Black Widow – claimed the family of Barry Pring were trying to frame her for his murder.
Mr Pring, 47, died in 2008 when he was hit by a car and an inquest ruled he was unlawfully killed after hearing claims from family and friends that his Ukrainian widow was involved.
But his family dismissed Ukrainian Miss Ziuzina’s claims as ‘preposterous’ and said the money had been held in an independent trust.
Miss Ziuzina, 38, told Ukrainian newspaper Fakty: ‘ When Barry died, his inheritance was worth about £1.5million. When the lawyers were given the right to run the assets it went down to £40,000.
‘Barry’s brother hired hackers, lawyers and private detectives. He spent from £100,000 to £200,000. Of course they want to get rid of me otherwise they will have to explain where the money has gone.’ She did not give evidence at the original inquest, but has won a legal bid for a fresh hearing to be held into the death.
Miss Ziuzina, who has denied any involvement in the death, now lives on the Costa del Sol with wealthy Briton Ivan Lister, 48, and the couple have a threeyear-old daughter.
Mr Pring’s family say they have spent more than £100,000 of their own money investigating the death amid fears he was murdered. A family source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘It is right and proper that Ziuzina should be heard.
‘It is to be hoped her preposterous allegations will help to ensure that justice is ultimately achieved. Barry’s money is in an independent trust and has not been disbursed, pending the outcome of inquests into his death.’
IT consultant Mr Pring, from Battersea, South West London, was said to have been besotted with Miss Ziuzina, despite his friends’ fears that she was a ‘gold-digger’.
The original inquest’s verdict was quashed after Miss Ziuzina instructed lawyers to seek a judicial review, saying she was not given the opportunity to testify and other ‘new evidence’ should be considered.