ht AOSHQRadiation expert, 46, who investigated the 'assassination' of KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko 'killed himself by stabbing his arms and chest repeatedly five months after a trip to Russia'
A radiation expert who investigated the 'assassination' of Alexander Litvinenko was found dead five months after a trip to Russia, an inquest heard.
Matthew Puncher, 46, bled to death at his home from multiple stab wounds inflicted by two knives.
A pathologist said he could not ' exclude' the possibility that someone else was involved in the death - but concluded the injuries were self-inflicted.
It led a coroner to record that Dr Puncher - who discovered the amount of toxic polonium inside ex-KGB agent Litvinenko after he drank poisoned tea in London in 2006 - committed suicide.
The inquest also heard the scientist had 'become obsessed' with a coding error he made in his research which he feared could 'land him in prison' for breaking a contract with the US Government, while his wife said his mood had 'completely changed' following a trip to Russia.
Dr Puncher was found dead at his home in Drayton, Oxfordshire, in May with stab wounds to his arms, neck and upper abdomen.
right...pull the other one