Investigations in Spain delay funeral

Couple on holiday found dead in jacuzzi by their children

THE repatriation of a Monaghan woman and her New Zealander husband, who both died in a jacuzzi incident in Spain last week, will not take place until investigators conclude their examination of the circumstances surrounding the couple’s tragic deaths.

This latest information is being reported across Spanish media this week.

On Tuesday last week, Thomasina Tobin née McArdle (51) and her husband, Patrick Tobin (48), were found deceased in the holiday apartment they rented in the resort of Cullera near Valencia by their two teenage children.

Since then, Spanish police and forensic investigators have been trying to establish if the couple died as a result of a tragic accident or if foul play was involved.

On Monday, Spanish newspaper Levante-EMV reported that preliminary autopsy results indicate the couple suffered suction entrapment in the jacuzzi at their villa.

“The most likely hypothesis - pending complementary examinations – is that both died from acute cardiorespiratory failure triggered by extreme physical effort,” the local Valencia newspaper reports.

Levante, reported that police found suction marks on the couple but they were more pronounced on Patrick’s body. This led to the belief that he was first pulled under the water and his wife died trying to save him.

English teacher, Elva Fuentes, is from Valencia and has been following developments in the case on behalf of The Anglo-Celt.

She says the tragic story of a husband and wife dying together while on holiday has “gripped” local people.

“We would all like to know what happened,” Elva told the Celt. “Everyone feels so bad for this family and their two children.”

Daily updates reported in local Valencia media include how the initial forensic report concludes that Mr Tobin became trapped by the suction system of the jacuzzi and struggled intensely to free himself while his wife attempted to help him.

“This combined effort likely caused a sudden physiological response in both,” Levante states.

Investigators explain that suction entrapment is rare but can occur if a person’s body, hair or limbs block the drainage system. If this occurs a powerful vacuum is formed completely immobilising the person in the jacuzzi.

The article also notes that the apartment’s bathroom was “modern and well-equipped” and that the jacuzzi appeared to be functioning normally before the accident.

“Authorities are now examining the installation, maintenance records and safety mechanisms of the system to determine whether any technical failure contributed to the tragedy.” The case remains open pending toxicology, histopathology and mechanical inspections of the jacuzzi.

LOCAL GIRL

Thomasina is the daughter of Nancy and Tommy McArdle from Drumhowan, which lies between Ballybay and Castleblayney.

She is pre-deceased by her mother, Nancy, who was a teacher in the local national school. Her father, Tommy, is well-known as one half of the McArdle identical twins who founded the Ballintra Players drama group in Monaghan in the 1960s.

Both twins played inter-county football for Monaghan and Tommy was inducted into the Monaghan Hall of Fame in 2004. Today, Thomasina’s brother, John McArdle, is assistant treasurer for the Monaghan County Board.

Thomasina was a former student of Our Lady’s Secondary School on Castleblayney. At the weekend a reunion of the Class of 1991 was scaled down as former pupils remained “mindful of the bereaved families”. At the time of her death, Thomasina Tobin worked in London as a quantity surveyor for global programmes company Townsend & Turner as their Head of Hotels.

She specialised in the hotels and hospitality sector delivering many of the capital’s iconic projects including phase 1 of the Ritz, The Shangri-La at the Shard and The Ned with Soho House, to name a few.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Patrick and Thomasina’s son and daughter, who are in their teens and have additional needs, discovered their deceased parents on Tuesday last, August 25. Family members from Monaghan flew to Spain to be with the distressed teens shortly after receiving the devastating news of the couple’s deaths.

The parish office at Ballybay confirmed to The Anglo-Celt that no arrangements have been made for the repatriation or funeral of Thomasina Tobin and her husband at this stage.