Russian multi-millionaire slams claims of 'criminal link' to his 19-year-old daughter's death after she plunges from window of Moscow high rise flat
A Kremlin-connected multi-millionaire has denied anything 'criminal' when his student daughter died in a 'tragic accident' after falling from her bedroom window in a central Moscow high rise.
The body of Valeria Shpilenko, 19, was found beneath her family's home in the tower block, leading to an investigation by law enforcement.
Her father Andrey Shpilenko, 45, is seen as one of his country's most skilled and high profile top managers, who was formerly an MP and high-flying official in United Russia, the political party formed as Vladimir Putin's vehicle for power.
Valeria Shpilenko, 19, the daughter of a Kremlin-connected former Russian MP fell to her death from a central Moscow high rise on Thursday, sparking a police investigation
He is now boss of a network of 'techno parks' around Russia, seen by the Kremlin as vital to the economy.
The father hit out at the Russian media for suggesting something 'criminal' over her death which was at 1am on Thursday, the day after her 19th birthday.
Reports say he had heard her daughter scream and ran to her bedroom where the window was open.
He then found her body, according to police.
'It's now a very difficult period for me and my family,' he said. 'In order to avoid spreading false information, I am forced to publish this message.
Her body was found beneath her family's home in the tower block the day after her 19th birthday, and no suicide note was found
Her father Andrey Shpilenko, 45, was forced to deny any criminality and said the tragedy was 'due to an accident'. He asked the media not 'discredit my daughter' by speculating on her death
'I see how some media outlets are trying to misinterpret information, present it as something distorted and hint at a criminal nature.'
The tragedy on Thursday night was 'due to an accident', he said, adding this was the finding of a law enforcement investigation.
He did not specify any details about the 'accident'.
Police sources said a preliminary examination found 'no traces of a struggle', but that an investigation is continuing.
No suicide note was found and friends said she showed no signs of being suicidal.
Andrey Shpilenko is a boss of a network of 'techno parks' around Russia, seen by the Kremlin as vital to the economy. Pictured: Akademgorodok, a technology park in the city of Novosibirsk, Russia
'She was an angel, an ideal daughter and the kindest, sympathetic person in the world,' said the father, asking the media not 'discredit my daughter' by speculating on her death.
Earlier he has posted: 'My angel, my beloved daughter, rest with God. You will live in my heart forever.'
He and wife Alyona were described as 'deeply shocked'.
Valeria was an international journalism student in Moscow, who was known to be keen on photography. She had a younger brother, Ilya, 13.
Her father was earlier vice-rector of the Moscow State University of Technology and Management.