Natalie Pronina, a 30 year old Russian dancer was targeted and killed in Moscow as she returned from a choreography session. She was shot purposefully twice in the chest by a masked assassin outside her apartment building near the Akademicheskaya train station as reported by East2West News.
Surveillance footage shows her killer firing from a close range as he approached her. After the deadly act, he dropped the gun and took off.
Although Pronina was taken to hospital and underwent surgery, she succumbed to her injuries, dying two hours later.
The incident is being investigated as a “contract killing” after Pronina allegedly had an affair with a wealthy politician. The theory is that the wife had discovered the relationship her husband had had with Pronina and that he was a member of parliament, also trained in martial arts, according to the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper. They had reportedly been dating until this Summer when the MP’s wife learned of the infidelity and Pronina had purportedly received “threats” from her.
The masked hit man used a non-lethal self defense gun that was redesign ed to fire real bullets for the hit. Donning a hoodie and wearing glasses, the video has as yet not helped investigators to identify and track down the murderer.
Pronina’s friend, Valerie told the tabloid daily, Komsomolskaya Pravada that; ‘She (Pronina) had no enemies, I can say that with absolute certainty,’ Valerie said. ‘Only one of her admirers could be behind this because of Jealousy.’
Another former dancing associate of Pronina’s, Anzheilika stated that; ‘(Pronina) was not the type who dreams of a white dress and a bunch of kids….Her work was her life. She earned well, she could afford it…..Natasha not only danced beautifully, she is a real beauty. Men always clung to her and it is possible that one of the rejected fans could have killed her.’
Pronina’s boyfriend has claimed that she had a debt of 6000 to 8000 pounds that she needed to repay. He also said she had a stalker. He denied any involvement in her death and said he was working in Yalta in the Crimea at the time of the attack.
Investigations continue.