Thomasina Tobin, a 51-year-old Irish mother and businesswoman, was discovered dead alongside her New Zealand husband Patrick near Valencia in eastern Spain on Tuesday. Authorities are investigating whether the couple died in a freak accident.
The couple were found deceased in a hot tub at a holiday property they had rented within an exclusive gated development known as Cap Blanc in Cullera. Sources have indicated that one line of enquiry being explored is whether they may have suffered electrocution while in the hot tub, or were possibly overcome by toxic fumes.
Background of the couple
Mrs Tobin, née McArdle, originally from Co Monaghan, had been residing and working in London for approximately two decades. She belonged to the highly esteemed McArdle family from Castleblayney. Her father is Tommy McArdle, a renowned playwright, actor and producer who dedicated many years to directing RTÉ's drama Glenroe.
He is celebrated for his collaborative work with his brother John, who is likewise a writer and actor. Both brothers also represented Monaghan in football. Mrs Tobin held a degree from Trinity College Dublin and practised as a Chartered Surveyor. Among the significant projects she contributed to in the UK were the Ritz and the Shard building, both situated in London.
Details of the incident
She and Mr Tobin, 48, had two teenage children who were holidaying with them when the tragedy occurred on Tuesday at approximately 4pm Irish time. The pair were discovered deceased at a hot tub in the holiday property within the Cap Blanc development in Cullera.
The private estate's properties and flats overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Cap Blanc beach stretches 630 metres and is classified as a semi-urban coastal area. The town, situated approximately 25 miles south of Valencia, has a population of roughly 25,000 residents.
Investigation and aftermath
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Irish Mirror that it was aware of the incident and stated it was providing consular assistance in relation to one Irish citizen. A spokeswoman told the Irish Mirror: "The Department is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance in the case of the Irish citizen concerned. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."
The couple's two young children are understood to have alerted the property owner after discovering their parents' bodies at the rented villa near Valencia at approximately 5pm local time on Tuesday. Local homicide detectives initially examined the circumstances surrounding the couple's deaths, but Spanish police subsequently determined there were no indications of violence and no suspicion of foul play.
Local police employed by Cullera Town Hall attended the scene alongside the Civil Guard, which has now assumed responsibility for the investigation. Three of Mrs Tobin's relatives departed Monaghan on Tuesday evening, arriving in Valencia in the early hours of Wednesday morning, where they are now caring for the couple's children.
According to reports in the Spanish media, post-mortems have been completed, foul play has been ruled out, and investigators are now exploring the possibility that the deaths were accidental. One theory under examination is that Mrs Tobin became trapped in the hot tub due to a technical fault, with her husband attempting to come to her aid, and both subsequently being electrocuted. A further possibility, according to the reports, is that the couple were overcome by fumes from the hot tub.
Residents of Castleblayney described the entire community as being in a state of shock following the tragedy. One man told the Irish Mirror: "The McArdle family are well known and highly respected. It is a terrible tragedy. Everyone is devastated."
