Berezovsky was found with 'ligature' around his neck
Inquest told Russian oligarch's death was 'consistent with hanging' but tests continue
RUSSIAN tycoon Boris Berezovsky was found lying on the bathroom floor at his Ascot mansion with a "ligature" around his neck, an inquest into his death has heard.
A similar piece of material to that used to make the ligature was found attached to the shower rail, Detective Inspector Mark Bissell of Thames Valley Police told the inquest at Windsor Coroner's Court today. Bissell said the 67-year-old's death was "consistent with hanging". But although there was no evidence of a violent struggle, the involvement of a third party "cannot be completely eliminated as tests remain outstanding", he said.
Police are still searching the house where the oligarch's body was found last weekend and further toxicology tests are being carried out on his body. The coroner, Peter Bedford, was told Berezovsky's body was formally identified by his 42-year-old daughter Elizaveta Berezovskaya, Sky News reports.
The court heard that Berezovsky was last seen at his home shortly after 9pm on 22 March. His body was found by a member of his staff the following afternoon.
Berezovsky's death sparked a "firestorm" of speculation, with many of his friends refusing to believe he would have taken his own life. Some of them now appear to be changing their minds.
Speaking outside the court, the oligarch's friend Alex Goldfarb said that Berezovsky appeared "melancholic but coping" when he last spoke to him a few weeks ago. "Of course, I was surprised," Goldfarb told The Independent. "Nobody expected that Boris would die. I didn't want to believe it was suicide. I still don't want to believe it. But I will go by the conclusions of the police." ·
Read more: http://www.theweek.co.uk/uk-news/52245/berezovsky-was-found-ligature-around-his-neck#ixzz2OqCq3hLh
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