Latest news with #KatherineMielniczuk
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
British medic, 26, who was found dead on Christmas Eve in Ukraine after serving in the war against Russia 'may have been murdered'
A British medic who was found dead in Ukraine after serving in the war against Russia may have been murdered, it has been claimed. Katherine Mielniczuk, 26, tragically died from opioid intoxication on Christmas Eve in 2023. Cops initially said they did not believe the former chemistry student's death was suspicious, but have now raised questions over whether there was 'foul play' involved. Police in the city of Sloviansk have launched an 'ongoing' murder investigation - with fears Ms Mielniczuk could have been pumped with a fatal dose of drugs, the Mirror reports. It comes as a coroner demanded to know if someone 'administered something without her consent' before colleagues discovered her lifeless body in her bed. Ms Mielniczuk went to Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, compelled to use her medical skills to help those in need. The University of Bristol graduate had been in the country for 18 months, primarily with the humanitarian group Stay Safe UA, and was attached to the 151st unit of the Special Operations Forces. She also served as an instructor and combat medic with a group calling itself Menace Medics. Police in the city of Sloviansk have launched an 'ongoing' murder investigation - with fears Ms Mielniczuk could have been pumped with a fatal dose of drugs, the Mirror reports After travelling to the most volatile stretches of the frontline, Ms Mielniczuk earned herself the nickname 'Apache'. At a pre-inquest review hearing, South London Coroner's Court heard Ms Mielniczuk died of 'opioid intoxication' but that vital evidence had not yet been passed to British authorities. Assistant coroner Ivor Collett told the court in Croydon: 'We know that the police authorities in Sloviansk did initiate an investigation into Katherine's death under article 115 of their criminal code dealing with homicide. 'The latest from them is that the investigation is ongoing.' And speaking to the Mielniczuk family's solicitors, he added: 'Has there been foul play? Has someone administered something without Katherine's consent? 'Has someone put them into her system without her being willing? What we are really concerned with is what happened while she was a combat medic in Ukraine.' Mr Collett told solicitors at the hearing that he would write to the authorities in Sloviansk to request they provide further information on the death. The hearing was told Ms Mielniczuk's family have still not been provided with the phone she was using at the time of her death. Mr Collett said Ukrainian police had offered to show evidence from it if a representative travelled to Ukraine, but Mr Collett said that was unreasonable considering it was a warzone. Her family, from Westerham in Kent, said in a statement after her passing: 'She devoted her life to helping others, as a medic, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend. She volunteered her last 18 months in Ukraine, working in logistical aid and as a combat medic all over the country. 'It is impossible to truly convey what an incredible woman Katherine was or how deeply and widely she was loved and will be missed. 'Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost.' Writing on her blog, the volunteer, who graduated from the University of Bristol, said before her death: 'At Menace Medics, our goal is to assist the medics on the ground with critical medical equipment and vehicle repairs/fuel, which will transcend our ability to operate, thus saving the lives of courageous foreign combatants and relentless Ukrainian soldiers.' According to a post on her blog, she had spent the last 18 months volunteering in Ukraine in a 'medical and operational capacity, primarily with StaySafeUA, a volunteer group dedicated to supporting those 'living on the frontlines of Russia's invasion.' In a post on November 28, she said she had spent her 'first days [in an] ambulance donated for me', sharing a photo of a puppy that appeared to be inside the vehicle with her. In a video posted in July, she gave an interview to a local reporter in which she said she had been working in Bristol when she decided to sign up for Ukraine saying she felt it was her 'duty to help.' She added: 'I will stay as long as until it's perhaps not safe to be here or until I need to go back to my brother or my mother.' Andriy Depko, her former boss at StaySafeUA, a support organisation she worked for for 13 months, exclusively told MailOnline that she was a dedicated volunteer who always put others before herself. 'From the beginning, she would volunteer to go to the very front lines of the invasion,' Andriy said. 'We always told her to stay safe, but she insisted on going to the most dangerous places to help. 'We told her "you need to be safe", but she was insistent, and kept saying "I need to be helpful." 'She did so much for Ukraine in the 13 months she was with us, before she left to be a military paramedic. 'She wanted to be on the very front lines, saving soldiers and using the education and skills she had. She wanted to be there 24/7. 'She wanted to show how brave she was.' He said he didn't believe the news of her passing upon hearing it. 'At first, I thought it was impossible. I was thinking, "this is not real. We'll hear the news that she's fine".' 'It's very hard to understand that a kind and active person could disappear. It tears my heart apart. 'It was very tough for my team. We had a meeting to talk about [her passing], and we shared memories of her. 'Everyone liked her. She was still part of our team [even after she left]. 'I want people to remember as the kind, involved, woman she was. 'Her involvement will never be forgotten. She wanted to help children, soldiers, everyone. I want everyone to remember her for that.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit medic, 26, found dead in Ukraine after serving in war against Russia ‘may have been murdered with fatal overdose'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT medic has been found dead in Ukraine and may have been murdered with fatal overdose, it has been claimed. Katherine Mielniczuk, 26, died from opioid intoxication and Ukrainian cops are probing her death. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 British medic Katherine Mielniczuk was found dead in eastern Ukraine Credit: Facebook 5 Katherine spent 18 months on the frontline in the war against Russia 5 Questions have now been raised if her death involved 'foul play' Katherine Mielniczuk went to Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, compelled to use her medical skills to help those in need. The young woman, who was affectionately known as "Kat" by her peers, is understood to have served in Ukraine as an instructor and combat medic with a group which called itself Menace Medics. She died in the early hours of Christmas Eve in eastern Ukraine back in 2023 with her colleagues making the tragic find. Police initially said they did not believe the 26-year-old's death was suspicious. But questions have now been raised if Katherine's death involved "foul play" before she was found dead in her bed. And a coroner has demanded to know if someone "administered something without her consent" before her colleagues discovered her lifeless body. Cops have now reportedly launched an "ongoing" murder investigation into Kat's death, according to the Mirror. Assistant coroner Ivor Collett told the court in Croydon: 'We know that the police authorities in Sloviansk did initiate an investigation into Katherine's death under article 115 of their criminal code dealing with homicide. "The latest from them is that the investigation is ongoing.' Speaking to the Mielniczuk family's solicitors, he added: 'Has there been foul play? Has someone administered something without Katherine's consent? "Has someone put them into her system without her being willing? "What we are really concerned with is what happened while she was a combat medic in Ukraine.' Trump and Putin to meet face-to-face in Alaska next Friday to discuss Ukraine peace deal The 26-year-old, who graduated in chemistry at the University of Bristol, spent almost two years risking her life to provide medical supplies and emergency care to injured Ukrainian and foreign fighters. Kat travelled to the most volatile stretches of the frontline and earning herself the nickname 'Apache'. Her family, from Westerham in Kent, said in a previous statement: "She devoted her life to helping others, as a medic, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend. "She volunteered her last 18 months in Ukraine, working in logistical aid and as a combat medic all over the country. "It is impossible to truly convey what an incredible woman Katherine was or how deeply and widely she was loved and will be missed. "Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost." A donation fund was set up to assist Katherine's family by helping them cover the costs of flying to Ukraine and having Katherine's body returned to the UK. One person, who called Katherine a "dear friend", posted in the fund: "I will forever miss our hours-long phone calls, where I could talk to you about anything and everything, and walking dogs from the animal shelter together." Another wrote: "At university you were always someone who I could turn to and looked out for me. I'm really going to miss you. I'll see you when I'm older xx." 5 Kat travelled to the most volatile stretches of the frontline Credit: Facebook
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Brit medic, 26, found dead in Ukraine after serving in war against Russia ‘may have been murdered with fatal overdose'
A BRIT medic has been found dead in Ukraine and may have been murdered with fatal overdose, it has been claimed. Katherine Mielniczuk, 26, died from opioid intoxication and Ukrainian cops are probing her death. 5 5 5 Katherine Mielniczuk went to Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, compelled to use her medical skills to help those in need. The young woman, who was affectionately known as "Kat" by her peers, is understood to have served in Ukraine as an instructor and combat medic with a group which called itself Menace Medics. She died in the early hours of Christmas Eve in eastern Ukraine back in 2023 with her colleagues making the tragic find. Police initially said they did not believe the 26-year-old's death was suspicious. But questions have now been raised if Katherine's death involved "foul play" before she was found dead in her bed. And a coroner has demanded to know if someone "administered something without her consent" before her colleagues discovered her lifeless body. Cops have now reportedly launched an "ongoing" murder investigation into Kat's death, according to the Mirror. Assistant coroner Ivor Collett told the court in Croydon: 'We know that the police authorities in Sloviansk did initiate an investigation into Katherine's death under article 115 of their criminal code dealing with homicide. "The latest from them is that the investigation is ongoing.' Speaking to the Mielniczuk family's solicitors, he added: 'Has there been foul play? Has someone administered something without Katherine's consent? "Has someone put them into her system without her being willing? "What we are really concerned with is what happened while she was a combat medic in Ukraine.' Trump and Putin to meet face-to-face in Alaska next Friday to discuss Ukraine peace deal The 26-year-old, who graduated in chemistry at the University of Bristol, spent almost two years risking her life to provide medical supplies and emergency care to injured Ukrainian and foreign fighters. Kat travelled to the most volatile stretches of the frontline and earning herself the nickname 'Apache'. Her family, from Westerham in Kent, said in a previous statement: "She devoted her life to helping others, as a medic, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend. "She volunteered her last 18 months in Ukraine, working in logistical aid and as a combat medic all over the country. "It is impossible to truly convey what an incredible woman Katherine was or how deeply and widely she was loved and will be missed. "Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost." A donation fund was set up to assist Katherine's family by helping them cover the costs of flying to Ukraine and having Katherine's body returned to the UK. One person, who called Katherine a "dear friend", posted in the fund: "I will forever miss our hours-long phone calls, where I could talk to you about anything and everything, and walking dogs from the animal shelter together." Another wrote: "At university you were always someone who I could turn to and looked out for me. I'm really going to miss you. I'll see you when I'm older xx." 5 5
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
British combat medic found dead in Ukraine bed with murder probe 'ongoing'
Katherine Mielniczuk, 26, died from opioid intoxication and Ukrainian police say an investigation of "homicide" into her death is 'ongoing" - but a coroner has questioned if she was given a fatal dose without her consent The death of a British combat medic who served in some of Ukraine's most fierce battles with Russia is the subject of a murder probe - with fears she could have been pumped with a fatal dose of drugs. Questions have been raised if Katherine Mielniczuk's death involved "foul play" before she was found dead in her bed. And a coroner has demanded to know if someone "administered something without her consent" before her colleagues discovered her lifeless body. Cops initially said they did not believe the 26-year-old's death was suspicious. But the Mirror can today reveal that police in the battle-scarred city of Sloviansk launched a murder investigation that is "ongoing". It comes after Vladimir Putin warned of an impending nuclear war. Katherine's death comes amid a flurry of suspicious deaths involving British citizens who had joined the bid to stop Vladimir Putin's bloodthirsty advance on Ukraine. At a pre-inquest review hearing, South London Coroner's Court heard Katherine died of "opioid intoxication" but that vital evidence had not yet been passed to British authorities. She had been in Ukraine for 18 months with the humanitarian group Stay Safe UA and was attached to the 151st unit of the Special Operations Forces. After travelling to the most volatile stretches of the frontline, Katherine earned herself the nickname 'Apache'. Assistant coroner Ivor Collett told the court in Croydon: 'We know that the police authorities in Sloviansk did initiate an investigation into Katherine's death under article 115 of their criminal code dealing with homicide. The latest from them is that the investigation is ongoing.' And speaking to the Mielniczuk family's solicitors, he added: 'Has there been foul play? Has someone administered something without Katherine's consent? Has someone put them into her system without her being willing? What we are really concerned with is what happened while she was a combat medic in Ukraine.' Katherine's body was discovered by colleagues in the early hours of Christmas Eve in 2023. She went to Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022 after feeling compelled to use her medical knowledge to help those caught up in the war. Mr Collett told the University of Bristol graduate's family's solicitors at the hearing that he would write to the authorities in Sloviansk to request they provide further information on the death. He said he would formally request copies of relevant statements, sketches or photos of the scene, reports of fingerprints and other forensic evidence and data from Katherine's phone. The hearing was told her family have still not been provided with the phone she was using at the time of her death. Mr Collett said Ukrainian police had offered to show evidence from it if a representative travelled to Ukraine, but Mr Collett said that was unreasonable considering it was a warzone. He said he would request it be sent to the UK, adding: 'I think there is a fair chance we will be given the cold shoulder.' Ms Mielniczuk isn't the first Brit whose death in Ukraine has been suspicious. Former Scots Guard Jordan Chadwick, 31, a volunteer from Burnley, Lancashire, travelled to Ukraine as a volunteer fighter in 2022. But he was found dead in a body of water with his hands tied behind his back in June the following year. Meanwhile Daniel Burke, from Manchester, was shot by a comrade miles from the front line in August 2023. Although the shooter claimed it was an accident, that was rejected by Manchester Area Coroner Zak Golombeck at an inquest in December. In a Facebook post a day before her death, Ms Mielniczuk asked her followers to remember Ukrainian volunteers, saying 'many of us cannot return home or celebrate Christmas'. She added: 'The mental, physical, financial consequences of war are catastrophic and a kind word can hold tremendous power for us when we are losing hope and seeing tragedies daily. We prioritise fighting for a free Ukraine, for a prosperous and fruitful future for Ukrainian children.' Katherine's family, from Westerham in Kent, released a heartfelt statement about their beloved daughter after her death. They said: "She devoted her life to helping others, as a medic, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend. She volunteered her last 18 months in Ukraine, working in logistical aid and as a combat medic all over the country. They added: "It is impossible to truly convey what an incredible woman Katherine was or how deeply and widely she was loved and will be missed. Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost." Ukrainian volunteer organisation Project Konstantin, which she had worked with, said on Facebook of her death: 'It is with deep regret that we announce the passing away of Katherine Mielniczuk. "We learned of this dreadful news a couple of hours ago and after talks with her family, we have offered to help. "All we know is that she was discovered in her bed this morning (24 December 2023), the cause of her death at this stage is not being treated as suspicious. Further information will be released later by the authorities. For now, we're focusing on the pain that her family is enduring and we're trying to appease their suffering by affording them the chance to fly out to Ukraine and we want to assist with repatriation costs.' Ms Mielniczuk's full inquest is yet to take place, but is unlikely to happen this year. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: 'We provided consular support to the family of a British woman who died in Ukraine.'
