OVA: ANALYST HANGED HERSELF AFTER SHE WAS MADE REDUNDANT

A financial analyst hanged herself at her mother’s flat weeks before she was due to be made redundant, an inquest heard today (Weds).

Russian-born Valentina Ova, 26, was discovered by friends at the property in Bayswater on April 14, two days after attending an interview for another job.

She had been due to lose her position with Zurich Financial Services at the end of the month, Westminster Coroner’s Court was told.

Miss Ova’s mother suggested ‘organised crime gangs’ had been responsible for the death, but two suicide notes, in English and Russian, were found.

She had seen her doctor about work-related stress and was referred to a psychologist but had not made an appointment.

Miss Ova had also obtained prescription anti-depressants during a visit to her father in Russia the previous year, the court was told.

Police said they were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances.

‘There had been concerns about her welfare,’ said coroner’s officer Terry Lovegrove.

‘She was depressed and over the weekend had stayed with a friend and talked about committing suicide.

‘She had been advised she was to be made redundant at the end of April 2011.’

Pc Arron Lewars said he had been called to the fourth floor flat in (Flat G, 163) Gloucester Terrace, Bayswater, by ambulance crews.

‘Friends had tried to contact her to find out how her interview had gone,’ he said.

‘But she couldn’t be contacted.

‘Two of them had gone to the property and noticed the window was open and the lights were on, but there was still no answer.

‘They called another friend and gained access to the communal area. At that point, they decided to call a locksmith.’

They discovered Miss Ova – who was known as Valentina Maltseva before her parents separated – hanging in the bedroom, along with her two suicide notes, he added.

The English note read: ‘I, Valentina Maltseva, declare that this is  an act of committed suicide and my mum has nothing to do with it.

‘Please allow her access to my account.’

The note in Russian asked for forgiveness and told of her love for her family, the court was told.

Det Sgt Thomas Haynes, of the Met’s missing persons unit, said Miss Ova’s mother, Polina Mayhew-Kaurova, had raised concerns of foul play.

‘She was concerned organised crime gangs had been involved,’ he told the court in a statement.

‘She does not believe the friends acted in good faith and believes they may have been part of a plot against her daughter.’

But he added: ‘There was no disturbance and no defence wounds to the body.

‘All the evidence supports non-suspicious death.’

Recording a verdict of suicide,

Coroner Fiona Wilcox said: ‘I’m  satisfied there was no third-party involvement in this death and that she was acting voluntarily.’

Verdict: Suicide

ends