POLICE have confirmed that the human remains found at Natadola beach belonged to Russian couple Yuri Shipulin and Natalia. And their close friends said they were devastated when they heard the news.
The couple were reported missing in mid-June. DNA from the remains found at Natadola were tested in country and compared with family reference samples requested from INTERPOL.
Police chief of intelligence and investigations ACP Luke Navela said DNA tests confirmed the remains belonged to the two.
One of the couple’s closest friends, Alla Mallerich, said she had known the couple since they arrived in Fiji from Russia in 2011.
“I met some Russian-speaking people in Fiji before so they introduced us when Yuri arrived because he wanted to know as much as possible about Fiji,” the 40-year-old said, adding she arrived in Fiji in 2008.
“We were quite close and because of his soul mate and partner Natalia, we were friends and we didn’t meet each other every day because everyone was busy doing their own job, but when we had a chance, we always enjoyed the company of each other.”
She said Mr Shipulin held a wide range of interests and had a keen passion for photography.
“He tried different areas, he had a few ideas but not everything worked out or cames to reality. He took time to understand what would be applicable to this country and he settled on farming and photography.”
Ms Mallerich described Mr Shipulin as a great friend and “someone you could always count on”.
“He comes and helps. If the car broke down and I call Yuri for help, he comes and helps. It was never a problem for him. He would never say that he was busy. He would just say, give me 20 minutes and he would come.
“It wasn’t just to help me; it was for anyone he knew. Yuri was a happy, easy going man who loved life, loved Fiji and he had plans to build his life in Fiji.”
Meanwhile, ACP Navela said a team of divers from the Fiji Navy would be joining police with the search operation in Natadola today.
“We are grateful to Commander John Fox for coming to our aid by sending a team of his divers to help their comrades as they search the Natadola waters in our effort to try and piece together the discovery of the body remains as well as the report of the missing Russian couple,” he said.
ACP Navela said the joint team would be able to cover a bigger area and help authorities uncover what took place.
“I met some Russian-speaking people in Fiji before so they introduced us when Yuri arrived because he wanted to know as much as possible about Fiji,” the 40-year-old said, adding she arrived in Fiji in 2008.
“We were quite close and because of his soul mate and partner Natalia, we were friends and we didn’t meet each other every day because everyone was busy doing their own job, but when we had a chance, we always enjoyed the company of each other.”
She said Mr Shipulin held a wide range of interest and had a keen passion for photography.
“He tried different areas, he had a few ideas but not everything worked out or comes to reality. He took time to understand what would be applicable to this country and he settled on farming and photography.”
Ms Mallerich described Mr Shipulin as a great friend and “someone you could always count on”.
“He comes and helps. If the car broke down and I call Yuri for help, he comes and helps. It was never a problem for him. He would never say that he was busy. He would just say, give me 20 minutes and he would come.
“It wasn’t just to help me; it was for anyone he knew. Yuri was a happy, easy going man who loved life, loved Fiji and he had plans to build his life in Fiji.”
Meanwhile, ACP Navela said a team of divers from the Fiji Navy would be joining police with the search operation in Natadola today.
“We are grateful to Commander John Fox for coming to our aid by sending a team of his divers to help their comrades as they search the Natadola waters in our effort to try and piece together the discovery of the body remains as well as the report of the missing Russian couple,” he said.
He said the joint team would be able to cover a bigger area and help authorities uncover what took place.
