New Evidence Fuels Family's Hope for Justice in Spanish Death Case

Maximilian White holds onto hope that new evidence will bring accountability four years after his brother, Tobias White-Sansom, died in his arms in a Spanish hospital. White-Sansom, a father-of-two from Nottingham, died in July 2022, five days after a night out in Magaluf. His family contends that the handling of him by security and police officers on the night of his death led to his demise.

New Evidence Surfaces

Recently, the family received a blood spatter report and a court order, which have renewed their belief that criminal proceedings may commence in the Spanish courts. "I won't stop until we get justice for Toby," White told the BBC. He described the loss of his younger sibling, who was on a family holiday at the time, as immensely difficult.

The family alleges that White-Sansom was pinned down at a nightclub after an argument erupted because he removed his T-shirt due to the heat. According to their account, the Spanish Civil Guard was summoned, and White-Sansom was subsequently handcuffed, Tasered, and sedated before going into cardiac arrest.

Analysis of Evidence

The blood spatter report, which analyzed White-Sansom's clothing and footwear, identified numerous bloodstains. The report stated that these stains are compatible with both spatter caused by external force and drip stains resulting from gravity. An ambulance report, reviewed by the BBC, indicated that White-Sansom had ingested drugs and was agitated. The report also noted that he was administered several medications, including fentanyl.

The Guardia Civil stated at the time that upon their arrival, White-Sansom was violent and was subdued to receive medical attention. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and was subsequently arrested for assault. The police force has not offered further details on the death.

Family's Account of Final Moments

Days later, White and his family faced the agonizing decision to remove White-Sansom from life support. "The only thing keeping him alive was the life support machine," White recounted. "And we discussed between our family members and we decided it was inhumane and we should let Toby die naturally." White described turning off the machine himself and holding his brother as he passed away 11 minutes later, longer than the doctors had predicted.

Pursuit of Accountability

For the past four years, White has been seeking resolution, stating, "The whole brutality of the situation caused my brother to pass. Someone needs to be accountable." He emphasized the importance of this for his brother's children, to know he was a good person, not merely a tourist.

White mentioned that on the night of the incident, his teenage son wanted to go out, and White-Sansom accompanied him and his girlfriend. He found it unusual that his brother was not with a larger group, which fueled his determination to uncover the truth. "That's why I went so heavy in return, because I knew that's not how my brother lived and what he was about."

Legal Process and Future Steps

White described the process of obtaining the new evidence as emotionally taxing, calling it "bittersweet" because his brother is no longer alive. "It's just the truth - fighting an uphill battle just to get the truth." An inquest into White-Sansom's death was opened in the UK in 2022 but was paused pending the Spanish investigation.

The family's lawyer in Spain, Jaime Campaner, expressed that he had not encountered a case with such prolonged delays. He attributed the slowness to the Guardia Civil and is hopeful the new evidence will be key. The investigating judge in Spain will now review the evidence to decide whether to proceed with a criminal case. Campaner estimates the investigation could conclude by year's end, with a potential court case next year. "We all want to get this case closed and see some justice," White said. "We're hoping that at some point in this chapter, we can close the door on this - and we can close the door on this pain."