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Famed Pianist Natalia Strelchenko Beaten To Death — Was Her Husband Responsible?

By Toni Matthews
Published on: 23:02 PST, Sep 1, 2015

Famed Russian concert pianist Natalia Strelchenko was found badly beaten in her home on Sunday, the victim of a vicious attack that soon after claimed her life. Now Manchester Police is working as quickly as possible to determine what happened to Strelchenko, who murdered her, and why.

Few details are available at present. What is known paints a troubling picture Natalia Strelchenko’s final moments.

According to the Independent, police and paramedics were summoned to Natalia’s home at Culcheth Lane, in Newton Heath, Manchester at approximately 12:45 a.m. on August 30. Someone had warned authorities that a woman was in serious destress. What police and paramedics found was the reportedly unconscious body of Natalia Strelchenko.

Paramedics worked desperately to revive Natalia, quickly rushing her to an area hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, nothing could be done to save Strelchenko. An autopsy revealed that her death was due to severe head and neck injuries. Someone had beaten Natalia to death.

Greater Manchester Police Detective Superintendent Phil Reade issued a statement to the press about the death of Strelchenko, promising that everything possible would be done to bring her killer to justice.

“This is a tragic incident in which a talented young lady has lost her life. Natalia’s family, many of whom live outside the UK, are understandably beside themselves at their loss, and we are doing everything we can at this time to support them.

We are determined to find out exactly what has led to Natalia being taken from them in this way. We have a team of detectives investigating this murder and are asking for anyone with information that may assist our enquiries, to please get in touch.”

The International Business Times reports that Manchester police do have a suspect in custody: 48-year-old John Martin, Natalia Strelchenko’s husband.

Martin is a double bass player who also acted as his wife’s manager. Though he’s suspected of fatally beating Strelchenko, John is also charged with the attempted murder of a teenage male who’s only identified as being younger than age 17. John Martin remains in police custody.

Natalia Strelchenko was something of a piano prodigy. She first came to international attention at the age of 12 after a debut performance with the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Prior to her death, Natalia was the artist in residence at Leeds College of Art. She had lived in Manchester for two years after moving from Norway, where she was a research fellow at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo.

Natalia Strelchenko will be remembered as a masterful and emotive pianist whose playful nature and creativity will be sorely missed.

[Image Credit: Screen Grab From YouTube]

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