THE parents of a Salisbury man murdered in the Ukraine spoke this week of their son's love of life and of sport.

George and Mary Downes issued a statement shortly after the opening in Salisbury of an inquest into the death of their 42-year-old son, Kieran.

Kieran was found dead in his flat in Kiev on December 18 with his hands tied behind his back.

A post mortem carried out in the Ukraine had failed to establish the cause of death but police in Kiev launched a murder inquiry.

Kieran's parents, who live in Balmoral Road, Salisbury, said Kieran had attended St Osmund's School and St Joseph's School and had many friends who will miss him.

They said: "His death has come as a great shock to us, his two brothers and other members of our family. Kieran moved away to Bournemouth, then London, several years ago and ran his own plumbing company.

"He travelled extensively and has recently been to America, Russia, Jersey and Spain. He first went to the Ukraine just over a year ago and recently bought property that he was developing.

"We will always remember his love of life and sport. He made friends easily and was well thought of by so many people. His love of judo led to him being a black belt by the age of 16 and he also enjoyed karate and wrestling."

Mr and Mrs Downes, who with one of their other sons work for Salisbury district council, said Kieran was divorced a few years ago and leaves three children who live on the south coast.

"The circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear and we are waiting to see if the Ukrainian authorities can shed any light on it," Kieran's parents added.

"Meanwhile, we are trying to come to terms with our loss and would like to thank those many friends who have offered their support and condolences."

Further details were revealed to Wiltshire coroner David Masters on Thursday when he opened the inquest into Mr Downes's death.

The coroner was told Mr Downes had lived in Grove Road, London, and went to Kiev in October, having worked there before.

Mr Masters, heard that Mr Downes kept in touch with friends in the UK by mobile phone almost on a daily basis.

However, sometime during November all contact ceased and his friends became con-

cerned.

A private detective was hired and, following enquiries in Kiev, the Ukraine police forced their way into Mr Downes's flat and found him dead. It appeared he had been dead for "several weeks."

The coroner was told that police in the Ukraine had launched a murder inquiry although post mortem examinations, both in Kiev and at the Royal County Hospital, in Winchester, after Mr Downes's body had been flown back to the UK, had failed to ascertain the cause of death.

The coroner was told further tests were being carried out, but dental records and X-rays of Mr Downes's teeth had confirmed his identification.

The inquest was adjourned until a date to be fixed.

Police in Kiev confirmed yesterday that two men had confessed to Mr Downes's murder.