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

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed.

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed - see the full ranking

Whitney Ainscough has claimed to make almost £500,000 a year by showing people how to exploit the benefits system.

Fury as benefits 'influencers' tell people how to 'game' the system - with one woman claiming to make £500k a year

Older people are less likely to be given antibiotics for common infections by their GP compared with younger adults, a new study suggests.

Elderly people less likely to be given antibiotics despite higher risk, study says

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

Westminster Council is offering staff an online ‘privilege walk’ quiz

'Britain’s wokest council' tells staff to take quiz to check their privilege

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Prescot, Merseyside

Girl, 13, dies in horror Merseyside house fire as five children escape unharmed

File photo of a Harris hawk

Dive-bombing hawk that terrorised village with string of blood-soaked attacks finally caught by local hero

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

New images show the moment the two ships collided.

New images show moment of North Sea crash as investigation reveals neither ship had a 'dedicated lookout'