Yorkshire man found dead in US told of Mafia fear

Richard Massey, 27, was working on a year-long contract for an investment firm in New York when he barricaded himself into his plush apartment, fearing for his life.

He rang the emergency services and was taken to hospital, but mysteriously vanished in December 2002, carrying airline tickets and his passport, an inquest in Doncaster heard.

His body was found three months later but only formally identified six years on after strenuous efforts by his family to find out what had happened to him.

Mr Massey's sister Katie Massey-Szymanski, 33, said she spoke to her brother a few weeks before he disappeared and he mentioned a new girlfriend. The couple had an on-off relationship and later apparently split up.

She told the hearing: "He talked about this girl whom he worked with and he seemed to be saying they had connections with the Mafia. She said she had an uncle who had paid a visit to a previous boyfriend and threatened to break his legs."

The inquest heard that Mr Massey was so paranoid about the threats he began carrying a knife for self-protection.

His workmate at Royal Blue Financial in New York, Ritash Patel, told British police Mr Massey was upset after breaking up with his girlfriend.

Mr Patel said: "He rang me at work and said there were people after him and he wanted me to get the police."

When he went to Mr Massey's flat the door was barricaded by furniture and he had thrown an ironing board out of the open window.

Mr Massey had been diagnosed with depression and was referred to a clinic but never checked in.

His family then reported him missing and began a search for him. In July 2003 they organised a Press conference in the US to appeal for information, completely unaware his body had already been found on March 15 and buried as a pauper in New York City cemetery.

An autopsy conducted in New York concluded Mr Massey's death was unascertained. No injuries or traces of drugs were found.

After a lengthy and fruitless search, Mr Massey's family decided to have him declared dead so they could continue to look after his affairs. It then became clear that the New York police investigation had been less than thorough and they had not even contacted the medical examiner.

The Massey family did not realise he had been found until years later, when their lawyer traced the body. Mr Massey's body was then exhumed and buried in his home town of Doncaster.

Mrs Massey-Szymanski said her brother had been enjoying his job and added: "He loved New York. He seemed to be having the time of his life.

"I firmly believe his death is a result of suspicious circumstances. He was trying to get back to England when something happened.

"He had indicated he was quite concerned that somebody was after him. He was scared to stay in his own apartment and indicated it was to do with this girl.

"There was something going on. He was fearful of something or somebody."

Det Insp Steven Handley of South Yorkshire Police said he believed the NYPD had only paid "lip service" to the investigation and added: "There are many lines of inquiry to be considered but we don't have the jurisdiction."

Recording an open verdict at the Doncaster inquest, deputy coroner Fred Curtis queried the co-operation of the American authorities and said it was an "entirely unsatisfactory situation".

The Massey family are already suing the police and medical examiners for negligence in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan, seeking unspecified damages.