Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho says they have some leads in the murder of Russian couple Yuri Shipulin and his wife, Natalia.

Speaking at Natadola Beach yesterday afternoon, Brigadier-General Qiliho said he could not divulge any further information.

He said this was to assist in the investigations and when the case was presented in court.

The investigation in the waters at Natadola will be boosted today with the inclusion of the divers from the Fiji Naval Squadron.

Commander John Fox confirmed 10 Fiji Navy divers had been assigned to help the Police divers comb the seabed in the bay.

“I can safely say that to do a methodical search of that area, Natadola Bay will take two weeks.

“The body as it decomposes will rise, but it depends on what weighs it down,” Commander Fox said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier-General Qiliho said Police were also working on other areas involving the case but would not divulge any information on that.

He said the Police had interpreters who were assisting when the need arose.

When asked whether detectives or interrogators would be brought in to assist the Police, he said the need was not there at present.

The couple were reported missing from June 16 by their business partner Andrew Luzanenk.

According to a Police source, the couple were spotted a little later at Denarau Island having some drinks.

Later that same afternoon, the couple’s vehicle, a grey metallic Toyota Land Cruiser, bearing the registration ‘PILOT’, was seen driving in to Natadola Beach.

The following day, Police located the vehicle parked under trees at the beach.

Its doors were unlocked with the keys still in the ignition and upon inspection, Police found woman’s clothing, believed to be that of Natalia and one she was wearing the previous day and a passport..

Edited by Nemani Delaibatiki

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