A policewoman who became an Internet star due to her glamorous selfies has died from tuberculosis (TB) after a vile thug spat in her face.

Arina Koltsova contracted the deadly lung disease soon after the man spat in her face while she arrested him during New Year’s Day celebrations in Kiev, Ukraine, this year.

The suspect was suffering from TB - an infectious disease that kills about half of those who are left untreated.

Illness: Arina Koltsov posted a selfie during her TB treatment (CEN)

With a busy schedule and not realising that the man was fatally infected, Officer Koltsova, 35, remained untreated for too long and even her colleagues did not realise how sick she was until she finally collapsed one day at work.



Her on-duty partner, Officer Mikhail Kindrakevich, wrote: “She became ill after New Year’s day. She had arrested this guy and he spat in her face. Some time later she collapsed.



"She had received treatment. She underwent chemotherapy, she was fed food through an IV drip and she had lost a lot of weight.”

Sensation: The policewoman became something of an Internet star for her selfies (CEN)

However, the chemotherapy, often used to treat acute cases of tuberculosis, weakened Officer Koltsova and caused her to become severely undernourished.



One of her most recent selfies showed her gaunt face and the short hair that she had towards the end of her life.

She died on July 25 and was buried in Kiev two days later.

Tragedy: Officer Koltsova died after contracting TB during an arrest (CEN)

One of her unnamed friends said: “Arina wanted to change something for our country. Joining the police was a conscious choice, she wanted to change things for better.”

Her unit said of her on their social media page: “This is an irreplaceable loss for the whole of Kiev police, fond memories of Arina will remain in our hearts forever.”



It is currently unclear whether or not the man who spat in her face will face charges.



Top pic: CEN