Family of Wythenshawe ex-paratrooper Daniel Burke say they're still 'yearning for answers' after inquest

The family of former paratrooper Daniel Burke - unlawfully killed in Ukraine by a man he once called a 'comrade' - have told how they still 'yearn for answers' following an inquest into his death.

In a moving statement, his loved ones said they hoped that one day they would 'get justice for Daniel'. The family urged authorities in the war-torn country to 'progress the investigation' into his death as a coroner recorded a conclusion of unlawful killing following a brief hearing at Manchester Coroner's Court today (Friday, December 13).

Mr Burke, 36, died 'with bravery and valour', but was killed by 'cowardice and dishonour', the inquest heard. The Wythenshawe-born former soldier - described as a proud Mancunian who was 'heavily affected' by the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 - was shot by 'someone who purported to be on his side, but was clearly not', the coroner said.

READ MORE: Manchester man shot dead in Ukraine was unlawfully killed in act of 'cowardice and dishonour', coroner concludes

He had travelled to the Ukraine to support the resistance against Russia at the time, after forming a company called The Dark Angels to extract injured Ukrainian military personnel from the frontline, but disappeared on August 11, 2023.

His body was found in what was described at the inquest as an 'old abandoned training ground' near the district of Zaporizhzhya on September 16, seven weeks after his death. Manchester Coroners' Court was told a pathologist gave a cause of death as 'multiple gunshot wounds'.

The inquest heard a suspect was identified, but claimed he had shot Mr Burke accidentally during a training exercise, a claim the coroner said he rejected. The man was detained, but later fled the country. His whereabouts are currently unknown, the inquest heard.

He wasn't named at the inquest, but GMP previously said it had been informed by authorities in Ukraine they had a suspect in their investigation named Abdelfetah 'Adam' Nourine, also known as 'Jihadi Adam, an Australian-Algerian dual national.

After the inquest, the force confirmed Mr Burke's death continues to be treated as a homicide investigation by Ukrainian authorities.

Det Sgt Danielle Bullivant, from Greater Manchester Police, read out a statement on behalf of Mr Burke's family outside court. His mother and brother Kevin attended the inquest, together with a niece and sister-in-law.

The statement read: "No family should ever have to go through the extreme depths of grief and confusion that we have endured and continue to suffer since Daniel was declared missing last year. We kept hope in all attempts to find him alive, but our hopes collapsed when we received a call that Daniel's body was believed to have been found in Ukraine.

"Since then, our family has never and will never be the same. Daniel had the most infectious smile and he loved making others laugh - this is how we will remember him and keep his memory alive. Throughout his life, he has assisted those who needed it the most and defended what he believed in, and for this we are so very proud of the person that he became."

"Following the inquest today, we are still yearning for answers.

"As a family we cannot do this alone, we are grateful for the support we have received so far and we are hopeful that the Ukraine authorities will progress the investigation into Daniel’s death and we hope one day we will be able to say that we have justice for Daniel.”

Det Chief Supt Lewis Hughes, from GMP, spoke of a 'lack of answers available in difficult and challenging circumstances'.

He said: "Our deepest condolences are with Daniel's family and close friends who have been at the heart of our pursuit for answers as they navigate through the complexities of Daniel's death.

"Their pain has been worsened by the lack of answers available in difficult and challenging circumstances that have unfolded over the past 17 months.

"We hope that today's ruling of unlawful killing goes some way in reassuring Daniel’s family and loved ones that this wasn’t an accident. Daniel was killed, and his family deserve answers.

"The conclusion of this inquest has provided an important step forwards for Daniel's family, but we are hopeful that the Ukrainian authorities will continue the investigation into this case and bring the person responsible to justice.

"Specialist family liaison officers were sent to support Daniel's family from the outset after he was suspected to have been killed to offer support but also to answer any questions his family may have in relation to what will happen during an investigative process that would soon follow.

"We coordinated efforts with the UK Disaster Victim Information, Foreign Office, The British Embassy, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and also Daniel’s family to help repatriate his body and bring him home so his family and friends could finally place him to rest."