UK NEWS

BRITON 'DROWNED BY ACCIDENT' IN CANAL

TRAGIC VICTIM: Richard Raynor

Tuesday February 19,2008

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THE British holidaymaker found dead in Venice after a Valentine’s Day row was a victim of accidental drowning, police said last night.

The body of Richard Raynor, 23, covered in mud, cuts and bruises, was pulled from the lagoon three days after he was reported missing by girlfriend Katie Robinson, 22.

His father William insists his son did not commit suicide. He said: “Richard never behaved strangely. He was a happy boy.”

Last night an Italian police spokeswoman said: “The post mortem examination has taken place and shows he died of drowning.

“It appears to be an accident. There are no signs of it being a crime or that he hurt himself.”

It emerged that the couple were planning to set up home together after their weekend trip.

Miss Robinson, a forensic science student, had to fly home alone to look after her three-year-old son from a previous relationship.

Police launched an inquiry after she said Mr Raynor, a software engineer, disappeared following a tiff over whether to keep celebrating into the night.

Yesterday she was in hiding in her home town of Retford, Notts. Neighbour Alan Dye, 67, said: “Katie is a really nice girl, and she and Richard always seemed very happy. I think they were planning to live together.”

The couple are believed to have had dinner in Campo Santa Margherita, a popular bar-lined piazza. The next morning she turned her mobile on to find a message timed 1am which said he was “lost”.

Yesterday his parents and Miss Robinson issued a statement saying: “We would like to be left alone at this difficult time. We thank everyone for their concern and condolences.”