A MODEL who died with a bin bag over her head and her hands cuffed behind her back killed herself and copied a movie to make it look like murder, a court ruled.

       Cops initially suspected foul play when Kristina Novytska, 25, was found sitting on a chair in a locked room with clothes stuffed in her mouth.

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       Kristina Novytska, 25, was found dead in mysterious circumstances Credit: Newsflash 4

       Police initially suspected murder after she was found dead at home in Bodrum, Turkey Credit: Newsflash

       But investigators later ruled out murder after small clues pointed instead to suicide.

       Now a court has ruled she took her own life by imitating a scene from the 2003 film The Life Of David Gale starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet.

       A character in the movie also kills herself with a bag over her head to convince police she has been murdered.

       Ukrainian model Kristina, who also worked as a translator and dance instructor, was found dead at her house in Bodrum, Turkey, in January.

       Neighbours raised the alarm after they had not seen her for two days.

       Her landlord found the grisly scene after entering with the help of a locksmith.

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       Paramedics confirmed she was dead and police began a murder probe.

       Friends at home in Ukraine told local media they believed she was killed.

       But detectives decided it must be suicide after finding several pieces of evidence that seemed to contradict the murder theory.

       First, police found that the property was locked and there was no sign of a break-in through the iron-barred windows.

       They also noted that the box for the handcuffs was found next to the model's body.

       It was later also found that she had ordered them online four days before her death.

       Kristina, a graduate of the Kyiv National Linguistic University, spoke fluent Turkish and was reportedly planning to fly home shortly before she died.

       The court's suicide verdict followed a key statement from Kristina's mother, who said she had suffered under lockdown and was on antidepressants.

       She was also said to have experienced frequent migraines.

       There was no evidence anyone encouraged or incited Kristina, who was in a relationship with a Turkish man, to take her own life, the court said.

       No charges were laid, and the case is now considered closed.

       Earlier this year we told how a man staged his own murder to get his wife jailed after learning she had hired a hitman to kill him in Texas, US.

       Another couple in Ohio used ketchup to stage a murder scene in a bath but the gruesome prank was so realistic they both ended up in court.

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       Kristina is said to have copied the film The Life Of David Gale starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet Credit: Alamy 4

       Kristina was on antidepressants after suffering in lockdown, her mother said Credit: Newsflash YOU'RE NOT ALONE

       EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

       It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

       It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

       Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

       That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

       The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

       Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.

       If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

       CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123