Black Widow bride takes legal action to prove innocence

A woman dubbed the ‘Black Widow’, whose wealthy husband was killed in Kiev, has taken legal action to prove her innocence and unfreeze his estate.

Ganna Ziuzina was accused of setting up the hit-and-run death of her businessman husband Barry Pring in 2008, an inquest in Exeter heard in January.

Ms Ziuzina, once a pole dancer in Ukraine, was traced to her new home in Marbella, Spain sparking a media furore. 

Ganna Ziuzina, dubbed the ‘Black Widow’, whose wealthy husband Barry Pring was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Kiev, has taken legal action to prove her innocence and unfreeze his estate

But the woman, who has since changed her name to Julianne Moore and bought two plush pads in Marbella, has tried to defend herself.  

She told The Sunday Times: ‘I still struggle to believe that in a country that prides itself on having one of the best justice systems in the world I am put in the absurd and upsetting situation of having to go to court to prove my innocence. 

‘It should be the other way round. It contradicts the basic law of innocent until proven guilty. I think people have a right to know that I am innocent.’

She added: ‘There is nothing else I can do. I just want to put the record straight — so I am not left with much option but doing this. I’ve been living with this for almost 10 years — and it’s been a struggle.’

Ms Ziuzina was accused of setting up the hit-and-run death of her businessman husband Mr Pring in 2008, an inquest in Exeter heard in January. Ms Ziuzina, once a pole dancer in Ukraine, was traced to her new home in Marbella, Spain sparking a media furore

Ms Ziuzina was accused of setting up the hit-and-run death of her businessman husband Mr Pring in 2008, an inquest in Exeter heard in January. Ms Ziuzina, once a pole dancer in Ukraine, was traced to her new home in Marbella, Spain sparking a media furore

In March Ms Ziuzina, now 38, succeeded in quashing the findings of the Exeter inquest after arguing the case had been mishandled.

She complained that she was not given an opportunity to testify, that a key witness was allowed to give ‘hearsay evidence’ and that ‘new evidence’ relating to her husband’s murder should be considered. 

Devon-born Mr Pring, 47, was understood to have been madly in love with Ms Ziuzina, although friends had reservations about the ‘cold’ Ukrainian internet bride. 

But the woman, who has since changed her name to Julianne Moore and bought two plush pads in Marbella, has tried to defend herself in an interview saying: 'I think people have a right to know that I am innocent'

But the woman, who has since changed her name to Julianne Moore and bought two plush pads in Marbella, has tried to defend herself in an interview saying: 'I think people have a right to know that I am innocent'

But the woman, who has since changed her name to Julianne Moore and bought two plush pads in Marbella, has tried to defend herself in an interview saying: ‘I think people have a right to know that I am innocent’

During a visit to her home town in Kiev, he was led to a dual carriageway following a dinner celebrating their first wedding anniversary. 

But as she went back inside to collect a pair of gloves, Mr Pring was killed by a speeding vehicle with no headlights and stolen number plates. 

Ms Ziuzina flew to the UK shortly after and tried to move into his London flat and claim his assets.     

Pring, 47, died without leaving a will, meaning under law his assets should pass to his widow. However, no one can inherit a person’s estate if they were involved in that person’s death. 

Pring, 47, died without leaving a will, meaning under law his assets should pass to his widow. However, no one can inherit a person's estate if they were involved in that person's death

Pring, 47, died without leaving a will, meaning under law his assets should pass to his widow. However, no one can inherit a person’s estate if they were involved in that person’s death

Pictured: Miss Ziuzina posing for the camera

Pictured: Miss Ziuzina in a corset

Pictured left and right: Miss Ziuzina poses for photographs 

A court ruling declaring Ms Ziuzina’s innocence would remove any barriers to his £1.8million estate.

Mr Pring’s death was initially treated by Ukrainian police as an accident then upgraded to a murder inquiry after the bungled investigation was exposed by the Mail in 2011. 

The Ukrainian investigation has been dogged by allegations of incompetence and a cover-up.  

Mr Pring's family, who spent more than £100,000 trying to find out what happened, were furious when the unlawful killing finding was quashed. They accused Miss Ziuzina of snubbing January's inquest. She also failed to attend Mr Pring's funeral

Mr Pring’s family, who spent more than £100,000 trying to find out what happened, were furious when the unlawful killing finding was quashed. They accused Miss Ziuzina of snubbing January’s inquest. She also failed to attend Mr Pring’s funeral

Mr Pring’s family, who spent more than £100,000 trying to find out what happened, were furious when the unlawful killing finding was quashed.

They accused Miss Ziuzina of snubbing January’s inquest. She also failed to attend Mr Pring’s funeral.

Soon after the Exeter inquest ruling was quashed Ms Ziuzina accused Mr Pring’s family of squandering his fortune.

They called the claim ‘preposterous’ and said the money had been held in an independent trust. 

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