Police are investigating the deaths of an Irish couple found dead in a jacuzzi at a rented villa in a Spanish coastal resort. Their two young children discovered the bodies and alerted the homeowner.
Possible Evidence of Crime
Homicide officers are reportedly leading the investigation after initial officers found “possible evidence” a crime had taken place. Local reports said the pair, aged 50 and 45, had injuries consistent with “puncture wounds.” However, the possibility of an accident in the jacuzzi has not been ruled out.
The grim discovery was made on August 25 on the Cap Blanc housing estate in Cullera, a town of around 25,000 inhabitants, 25 miles south of Valencia. Local police and the Civil Guard were mobilised.
Police Confirmation
A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Valencia confirmed: “The bodies of a man aged 50 and a woman aged 45 were found yesterday at a residential property in the municipality of Cullera. Both were Irish. Their children discovered the bodies in a jacuzzi and alerted the authorities.”
He added: “I’m not in a position to say exactly why but the first officers who reached the scene found evidence pointing to the possibility the couple might not have died of natural causes and therefore a specialist Civil Guard homicide unit in Valencia was mobilised to take charge of the ongoing investigation. Nothing has yet been ruled out.”
Children Cared For
A water sample from the jacuzzi, described as “cloudy,” was taken for analysis in a specialist laboratory. The “traumatised” children are being cared for by social workers and a psychologist. An uncle is preparing to travel from Ireland, and the children are expected to be reunited with him at a hotel in Cullera.
The bodies have been taken to a Forensic Medicine Institute in Valencia for autopsies. A source close to the investigation said: “This is not necessarily going to have a quick resolution and the ongoing probe will take time to complete.” Another source noted: “It's normal a water sample was taken from the jacuzzi the couple were found in.”
