Why I think millionaire lover was killed on orders of a rival jeweller
singer and writer, says she feared Bush’s ex-girlfriend might come back for her. “During that time, I felt my life was in danger. She spent three days on the run and I didn’t know where she was. I was the only witness and I thought my life was under threat. “I had no security or guards or police. It was terrifying.”
Kukucova drove across Europe to her home town in Slovakia before handing herself in to police.
She was extradited to Spain and jailed for 15 years in May 2016. But the model had her prison sentence reduced on appeal the following year to 13 years. At her Malaga trial, she claimed she had fired the gun in selfdefence after Bush attacked her first.
But the jury unanimously rejected her version of events.
The judge also ordered her to pay £122,000 compensation to Bush’s daughter Ellie from his previous marriage to former BBC Bristol presenter Sam Mason. She also had to pay £30,500 to his sister, Rachel.
TRUTH
Throughout the trial there was no mention of any conspiracy to kill Bush. Maria says she battled depression for 18 months after his murder – and she is fearful Kukucova could come after her when she is released,
She believes she is “clearly a dangerous person” and will want revenge. Maria says: “It’s already been seven years. There’s not very long left until she comes out. I’m worried that she may come and find me. What stops her? Nothing. You can find me easily because of my social media.”
After the killing, Maria moved to Tenerife before returning to the UK for a while. But she has now moved back to her native Russia where she wrote her memoirs during lockdown.
Maria hopes the book, which offers what she believes to be the truth about the horrific crime, will be sold in Britain.
She says: “There was a 30-year age difference between myself and Andy and people were judgmental about that.
“But I wanted to tell the truth. It was always my idea to write the book.
I always wanted to do it but I couldn’t because of the court case.
“I wanted to tell girls how to deal with the loss of your partner, the loss of your love and how to deal with the psychological trauma.
“It’s also about how to come out stronger and healthier.”
Since Bush’s death, Maria got married but divorced after two years.
She says: “Andrew was the love of my life, that’s why it was so hard for me to move on.
“I want our love – our story – to be remembered. I’ve moved on and I’ve become stronger, but I don’t want to forget him.”
I’m worried she’ll come and find me. What stops her? Nothing… MARIA BELIEVES FIANCÉ’S KILLER WILL SEEK REVENGE