The murder trial into the killing of a Russian tycoon once dubbed Princess Michael of Kent's 'toyboy' is rapidly descending into farce after key evidence has gone missing, and witnesses have refused to testify because of 'threats', it emerged today. Furniture magnate Mikhail Kravchenko, 46, was shot dead driving his Mercedes near Moscow in 2012, but the truth behind his death appears no closer to being revealed. There are even claims that the suspected killer has 'escaped'. 'Toyboy': Mikhail Kravchenko (pictured right) with Princess Michael of Kent (left) together in Moscow in 2006 Gunned down: Kravchenko, pictured here in April 2006 outside his Moscow furniture factory, was shot dead driving his Mercedes near Moscow in 2012
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Mikhail Kravchenko, 46, was shot dead in his Mercedes in 2012
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Claims witnesses  are being threatened and evidence has gone missing
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The suspected killer 'managed to escape from police and investigators'
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There was speculation it could have been a state-instigated assassination to embarrass the British Establishment
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Furniture magnate was photographed holding hands with Princess Michael of Kent six years before his death
After his death, a spokesman said Prince @placeholder and his wife were 'very distressed to hear of this tragedy'.