Frozen body of British graduate found in Russian village after freezing to death

THE body of a British man who was iced to death after being drugged and robbed in a stranger’s car

has been found in a remote Russian village.

Nicolas Lazareff, who graduated last year from Manchester University disappeared last Thursday morning after visiting a bar in Moscow with his friends.

After a night out, the 22-year-old who had a dual British-French citizenship got into a taxi with his brother Alexis and a British female friend.

But their journey was short lived after the driver gave the two men beers that were spiked, robbed them and kicked them out of his car.

Once out in the freezing cold temperatures of -10C, Mr Lazareff staggered into a forest where he died of hypothermia after he could not be found during a long and thorough search.

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Lazareff, pictured in a Russian shop, modelling a coat

After receiving details confirming the death of her son, Fiona Scott Lazareff, an entrepreneur and chief executive, praised the Russian Police and French ambassador and subsequently slammed the British Embassy in Moscow and the Foreign Office for their “lack of action”.

Although a Foreign Office spokesman said: “Following the death of a British national in Russia, we are providing support to their family and are in touch with the local authorities.”

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Moskovsky Rail Station, pictured, was the closest rail station to the remote village of Chelobityevo

Ms Lazareff told the Times: “I had a pathetic call from every now and then from the Foreign Office saying ‘have you heard from your son?’ when I thought they would be ringing me with information about him.

“After their latest phone call, asking if I’d heard anything, I found out that Nicolas’s body had been found, through Russian media.”

“The Russian police have been marvellous. They used CCTV to find the number plate of the people who owned the car and arrested them and made them show the spot when they had robbed them.”

Manchester University

Lazareff completed a degree in Russian and business at Manchester University

Mr Lazareff travelled to Moscow in hope of finding a job after completing his Russian and business degree.

A keen tennis player and mountaineer, the 22-year-old is said to have been to a district in north Moscow and his body was found in the village of Chelobityevo.

Ms Lazareff added: "The important thing is this was a tragic accident - a result of a combination of circumstances. A lot of people have said Moscow is so dangerous but this kind of thing can happen anywhere.”