A couple from London, Patrick Tobin, 48, and his wife Thomasina, 51, were found dead in a hot tub at a rented villa in Cullera, Spain, last week. Investigators suspect the pair became victims of "suction entrapment," a rare phenomenon where a powerful vacuum from a hot tub drain can trap a person underwater.
Their bodies were discovered on Tuesday by their two teenage children at the Villa Luna, a property on the exclusive Cap Blanc residential estate. The villa, described as offering a "ground floor oasis" with a jacuzzi, is reported to cost £2,000 per week to rent.
Post-mortem examinations revealed marks and scratches on both victims, along with blood in the hot tub's cloudy water and a strong chemical odor. While initial reports suggested suction marks were more pronounced on Mr. Tobin, police are still clarifying details, including conflicting accounts that he may have attempted to rescue his wife.
Foul play has been ruled out by authorities, as there were no signs of forced entry or suspicious activity on nearby security cameras. Initial investigations also examined the possibility of electrocution, but this has since been discounted.
Thomasina Tobin was a quantity surveyor who had worked for Turner and Townsend in London for over five years, specializing in the high-end hotel industry. She had a 30-year career in the UK after graduating from Trinity College Dublin, and had previously worked on projects including the Ritz hotel. Her father, Tommy McArdle, was a former director for Irish broadcaster RTÉ and a county football goalkeeper.
Patrick Tobin was understood to have worked in the tech industry in London. He was originally from New Zealand.
The couple had arrived at Villa Luna on August 22 for a two-week holiday and were scheduled to return to the UK on September 6. Their children alerted the property owner, who lived nearby, before contacting the police. Relatives, including an uncle, traveled to Spain to care for the children, who are reportedly traumatized by the incident.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was providing consular assistance, and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it was aware of Mr. Tobin's death and assisting his relatives.
A spokesperson for Colina del Sol, the company operating the villas, expressed condolences and stated they were awaiting the conclusion of the official investigation, emphasizing their commitment to safety and quality at the resort.