Body of Olympic star Yulia Balykina found wrapped in cellophane in forest

SHE went missing on October 28 and police said they think she’d been murdered. Then came this shocking discovery in a forest.

Murdered athlete found in plastic

SINCE she was last seen on October 28, friends and family of Yulia Balykina have been hoping for a miracle.

The athletics star, who represented Belarus at the 2012 London Games, hadn’t made contact with anyone since she vanished, so those closest to her feared the worst.

Within days a man she lived with, and was reportedly in a relationship with, was taken into custody, on the suspicion of murder.

At the time police would only say a search of her car and apartment showed signs that a violent crime had been committed.

Now her family’s worst fears have been realised with the discovery of her body, concealed in cellophane and covered with moss, in a forest near the Belarus capital of Minsk.

Police spokesman Sergei Kabakovich told AFP: “It was wrapped in plastic wrap and carefully covered with moss.”

Forensic teams are examining the area her body was found. Police have not confirmed the cause of death.

Police earlier said they were holding an acquaintance of Balykina’s — but did not name him — who confessed to the murder but said he had forgotten where he hid the body, reported Associated Press.

Balykina’s former teammates from the Belarusian Athletics Federation helped police look for her.

In her prime she was a 100m specialist and competed at the London 2012 games in both the 100m and 4x100m relays.

The 31-year-old had been in the process of rebuilding her career in the months before her death, after being banned from the sport, She tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2013.

She had returned as a coach only a few months ago.

Originally published as Body of Olympic star Yulia Balykina found wrapped in cellophane in forest