Beauty Queen Found Dead in Forest as Police Arrest Suspect

(Natalia Bozhuk. Photo by The Mirror)

Police have arrested a businessman accused of killing a beauty queen whose body was discovered in a forest near Moscow.

The man is alleged to have hidden her remains after the crime.

Natalia Bozhuk, 39, disappeared on July 17 after stepping out for a walk with her pet dog Luna near the Romashkovo estate in Odintsovo, Moscow region.

Her partner, Pavel Kozlov, 44, is accused of striking her during a quarrel.

Bozhuk was a model and contestant in the Mrs Russia Universe pageant.

She also worked as a stylist and had recently completed a course at Ostankino television school.

Her family grew alarmed when she stopped answering calls.

Investigators determined she died that day or the next.

Ten days later, on July 27, her remains were found in bags hidden in woodland near an outbuilding.

Police said the dog, which had remained near the spot for nearly two weeks, helped lead them to the location.

Her body had been cut up and concealed after her death.

According to the Interior Ministry, a dispute broke out between the pair during which Kozlov inflicted several wounds on Bozhuk from which she died.

He then took steps to cover up the crime.

Kozlov fled Moscow on a flight to Turkey and later travelled to Northern Cyprus.

He was detained on September 17.

Turkish authorities handed him over to Russian police at Istanbul Airport on September 18.

He now faces murder charges under Russian law and could receive up to 15 years imprisonment.

Local reports said he confessed after returning to Russia.

The two had met about six months earlier after Bozhuk posted online seeking a partner. Kozlov, born in Tashkent, worked in finance and ran wholesale businesses.

He has two children, ages five and nine.