British aid workers killed in Ukraine 'showed signs of torture and execution' as family reveal autopsy details

14 August 2023, 17:42 | Updated: 14 August 2023, 18:32

British aid workers killed in Ukraine showed signs of torture and execution as family reveal heartbreaking autopsy details
British aid workers killed in Ukraine showed signs of torture and execution as family reveal heartbreaking autopsy details. Picture: LBC / Alamy / Just Giving

By Danielle DeWolfe

Two British aid workers who died in Ukraine showed signs of torture and were likely executed at the hands of either Russia or Wagner mercenaries, the family of one of the victims has revealed.

The bodies of Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 47, were returned to Ukraine alongside 116 others as part of a prisoner swap with Russia in February.

The pair went missing in the country in January en route to the town of Soledar, in the eastern Donetsk region of the country, after it was initially believed their vehicle was hit by an artillery shell.

Now, according to the family of Mr Bagshaw - who held dual British-New Zealand citizenship, the post-mortem revealed darker details surrounding the pair's death.

British aid workers Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw who were killed in Ukraine showed signs of torture and execution as family reveal heartbreaking autopsy details
British aid workers Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw who were killed in Ukraine showed signs of torture and execution as family reveal heartbreaking autopsy details. Picture: LBC / Alamy

According to Mr Bagshaw's parents, Professor Philip and Dame Susan Bagshaw, post-mortem examinations conducted in the UK following repatriation revealed signs of abuse and execution.

Speaking with New Zealand outlet Stuff, Mr Bagshaw's parents said the findings suggested the pair were taken hostage and tortured before they were killed. 

"He was definitely shot. He may well have been abused. We don't like to think how badly, but the report of his post-mortem is horrific," his father revealed.

Read more: RAF scrambles fighter jets to intercept Russian 'Bear' bombers as they pass close to Scotland

Read more: Bodies of British volunteers Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw returned in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap

"Chris was shot twice, once through the torso, and once through the head," he said, adding that fellow aid worker Andrew had similar wounds.

With results suggesting his son was likely the victim of war crimes, Mr Bagshaw continued: "How badly he was abused, we'll probably never know."

Post-mortem results suggested his son, who is said to have died in the Donbas region under artillery fire, was likely the victim of war crimes, Mr Bagshaw continued: "How badly he was abused, we&squot;ll probably never know."
Post-mortem results suggested his son, who is said to have died in the Donbas region under artillery fire, was likely the victim of war crimes, Mr Bagshaw continued: "How badly he was abused, we'll probably never know.". Picture: LBC / Alamy

He added that co-operation between Ukrainian authorities and the UK suggested the official line - that his son's death came as a result of an artillery strike - was, in all probability, untrue. 

"There are all sorts of reasons for believing that we don't have the full story," he continued.

"There is no question that his phone was activated a couple of days after he went missing, which would imply that he was conscious two days after he went missing."

The troubling details come as the Russian Ruble hit a 16-month low against the dollar.

The news also coincides with RAF jets being scrambled to intercept Russian bombers after they flew to the north of Scotland.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Queen Camilla to miss Royal Variety as she continues recovery following chest infection

Queen Camilla to miss Royal Variety as she continues recovery following chest infection

Gatwick South Terminal to reopen after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

Gatwick South Terminal to reopen after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

London, UK. 22nd November 2024. Police cordon and firefighters on the scene at the Embassy of USA in London following a controlled explosion of a suspicious package. Credit: Vuk Valcic/Alamy Live News

Police say US embassy 'suspect package' was probably a hoax after carrying out controlled explosion

Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight

Brits brace for Storm Bert: Met Office issues amber weather warning for snow - with up to 40cm set to fall

Harshita

'We will never forget you till our last breath': Family of Harshita Brella pay tribute - as manhunt continues for killer

Live
Gatwick airport.

LIVE: Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious item found'

Exclusive
Negative images from Band Aid did 'more bad than good' for Africa, says rapper Fuse ODG

Negative images from Band Aid did 'more bad than good' for Africa, rapper Fuse ODG tells LBC

Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious bag found near train station' as bomb squad called in

Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious bag found near train station' as bomb squad called in

Simone White will be 'sincerely missed', a tribute to her has said

Devastated colleagues pay tribute to British lawyer as Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ death toll rises to six

Colette Fairbanks was sacked after sharing ‘offensive’ posts

Brexit views not protected from workplace discrimination, tribunal rules after woman sacked over ‘offensive’ posts

The Metropolitan Police carried out a controlled detonation of a suspect package near the US embassy in London

US Embassy in London on 'lockdown' as police investigate 'suspect package'

Coleen Rooney said her husband Wayne has not been forgiven in the court of public opinion

Coleen Rooney opens up on Wayne's 'difficult' mistakes as she says he hasn't been forgiven in court of public opinion

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel

Laos hostel owner arrested after Brit lawyer becomes fifth tourist to die in 'poisoning'

Holly Bowles, 19, from Melbourne, has died in the ‘methanol mass poisoning’

Sixth person dies in Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ as hostel owner detained by police

Exclusive
Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

'We're destroying what should be the finest river on Earth': Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

Household energy bills will rise again from January

Household energy bills to rise by £21 a year from January in further blow for Brits this winter