London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jul 05, 2026

Mikhail Watford: Ukrainian oligarch's death investigated by Surrey Police

Mikhail Watford: Ukrainian oligarch's death investigated by Surrey Police

An investigation has been launched into the death of a Ukrainian-born oligarch in Surrey earlier this week.

Officers were called to a property in Portnall Drive, Wentworth, at about midday on 28 February.

Mikhail Watford, aged in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation into the death is under way but Surrey Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances "at this time".

His next of kin have been told and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

The body was found at an address in Portnall Drive, Wentworth


It is understood that Mr Watford was born in 1955 in then-Soviet Ukraine but moved to the UK in the early 2000s.

According to a Sunday Times profile in 2015, he made his fortune in oil and gas, and moved to Surrey from London with his Estonian wife Jane.

He described his childhood as relatively extravagant, telling the newspaper: "We had a big four-bedroom apartment with a bath, and a car — which, in terms of luxury, was the equivalent of travelling by jet now."

It was also reported he had changed his name from Tolstosheya after moving to the UK.

The property where his body was found is on a private road on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water.

It features three 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole course.

Former Chilean military ruler Augusto Pinochet was kept under house arrest on the estate before his extradition and, according to its website, it has been home to "a host of famous athletes, musicians, actors and entertainers, financial figures and royalty".

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Morocco and France Advance as 2026 FIFA World Cup Enters Quarterfinals.
Historic 2026 Tour de France Opens in Barcelona With Revamped Team Time Trial.
Global Mergers and Acquisitions Approach $4 Trillion Defying Geopolitical Tumult.
Negotiators Advance 20-Point Framework for Gaza Ceasefire and Demilitarization.
OECD Warns Middle East Conflict Will Depress Global Economic Growth.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Oil Terminal in St. Petersburg.
World Meteorological Organization Issues Urgent Alert Over Rapidly Intensifying El Niño.
United States Commemorates 250th Anniversary With Diplomatic Summits and Global Flotilla.
Iran Begins Days-Long Funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei Amid Strait of Hormuz Standoff.
Technology giant reports surging carbon emissions driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure demands.
Artificial intelligence adoption accelerates workforce reductions across the technology and financial sectors.
Global technology and financial conglomerates collaborate to launch a new stablecoin standard.
United States regulators lift export restrictions on a major frontier artificial intelligence model.
Royal Society Exhibition Highlights Growing Focus on Public Trust in Science
Energy Costs and Supply Chain Risks Continue to Shape UK Business Strategy
Rapid Rise in Artificial Intelligence Adoption Reshapes UK Corporate Operations, ONS Says
UK Businesses Turn Defensive as Economic Outlook Weakens, Institute of Directors Data Shows
UK Government Faces Criticism Over Late Extension of Pub Hours for England Match
Inquest Continues Into Death of Noah Donohoe as Jury Deliberates Findings
Calls for Stronger Wildlife Attraction Safety Rules After Crocodile Enclosure Injury
City Fire Under Control After Major Blaze Sends Smoke Across Urban Area
Police Investigation Continues After Officer Killed During Road Closure Duties
Blackpool Hotel Fined £120,000 After Electric Shock Incident Involving Child
Whistleblowers Allege Delays in UK Special Educational Needs Support Services
Calls Grow for Improved Support for UK Armed Forces Personnel Facing Health Conditions
Rising UK Energy Price Cap Increase Prompts Wider Concerns Over Household Pressures
UK Businesses Remain Concerned Over Global Conflict Risks to Supply Chains, ONS Finds
Office for National Statistics Reports Rising Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Across UK Businesses
Institute of Directors Reports Deepening Pessimism in UK Business Confidence Index
England Prepare for World Cup Round of 16 Match Against Mexico in Mexico City
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition Concludes in London After Week-Long Showcase of Research
Silverstone Hosts British Grand Prix as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton Lead Home Crowd Expectations
Cornwall Van Dwellers Face Homelessness Risk as Council Tightens Enforcement
Police Investigate Stabbing of Iranian Journalist in London
Rare Copy of US Declaration of Independence Discovered in UK Archive
Department for Education Data Shows Persistent Literacy Gap Among Disadvantaged White Pupils
London Casino Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Tip Distribution Practices
England Records Hottest June on Record as Heatwave Disrupts Services Nationwide
UK Foreign Office Ends Overseas Education Programme for Women and Girls After Shortfall
UK Lawmakers Call for Urgent Action to Preserve Historic Outdoor Lidos
Police Criticise Extended Pub Opening Hours for England World Cup Fixture in Mexico
UK Safety Authorities Warn Parents Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Imagery Risks
Reform UK-Led Council Struggles to Attract Sponsors for Union Flag Promotion Scheme
OpenAI UK Investment Uncertainty Grows After Reported Setback on Stargate Data Centre Site
British Medical Association Warns of Severe Financial Crisis and Possible Staff Cuts
UK Devolution Debate Intensifies as Celtic Nations Prepare Breakup Contingency Plans
Starmer Signals Labour Transition as Burnham Emerges as Potential Successor
UK Government Consults International Partners on Maritime Trade Security and Energy Market Stability
Rare Revolutionary-Era Documents Discovered by UK Archives and Undergoing Authentication
UK Consumer Confidence Remains Deep in Negative Territory as Household Spending Stays Cautious
×