Former vice-preside of Gazprombank and a close associate of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Vladislav Avayev was discovered dead in his Moscow luxury residence.

He was found dead along with his 47-year-old wife and 13-year-old daughter. His daughter Anastasia went to check on them after becoming worried that they hadn’t called her back.

Mr. Avayev’s own pistol was used to kill all three, according to Anastasia, 26, who said it was in her father’s hand when she discovered the dead.

Mr. Avayev formerly worked for Gazprombank, which is at the heart of Putin’s gas-for-roubles scheme to get through Western sanctions. He has lately resigned his position, although it is unclear whether he still maintains ties to the bank.

He had also served in Mr Putin’s administration and had amassed a sizable personal wealth as the owner of a construction firm.

The circumstances leading up to the catastrophe are now being investigated by police, including any possible links to Mr. Avayev’s professional and personal lives.

One hypothesis suggests that Mr. Avayev became outraged after discovering that his wife was five months pregnant by her husband’s driver, however, there are different stories about whether or not she was expecting a kid.

According to Anastasia, a total of 13 weapons were recovered in the flat, which was locked from the inside.

One neighbour, referred to as Kristina, said: “I heard three shots and shouting. A woman was screaming. Then two more shots were fired. No-one else was screaming.

“I looked out the window – I thought it was fireworks… it turned out they weren’t, my mother told me it was definitely gunshots.”

Another neighbor reported that recent events had weighed heavily on his mind.

They explained: “Perhaps this was because of the sanctions – everyone is depressed, some are willing to go to extreme measures.

“They possibly put him in debt and he decided to shoot himself.”

A third suggested an alternative, more sinister explanation, saying: “He was a smart man, almost the head of Gazprombank. I had seen him – he did not look like a maniac. He was a nerd.

“He had no reason to do that. He was rich, smart. There’s no way a man like that could kill. Maybe Avayev and his family were killed.

“So what does that mean? A man with a gun broke into our house, and no one stopped him? How are we supposed to sleep now?”

Image Credit: EAST2WEST NEWS

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