Thomasina Tobin, 51, and her husband Patrick, 48, were found dead in a jacuzzi at a holiday villa in Cullera, near Valencia, last Tuesday. Post-mortem examinations have reportedly found that the couple suffered fatal cardiac arrests, with investigators probing whether they became trapped by the jacuzzi's powerful suction system.
Trapped by suction or electrocution?
One theory being investigated is that the cardiac arrests were triggered by acute stress and physical exhaustion as the couple desperately tried to free themselves. Another possibility is that one of them was electrocuted because of a suspected fault and the other died while attempting a rescue.
Spanish newspaper Las Provincias reported: "Preliminary analyses indicate that the victims suffered cardiac arrest brought on by acute stress following physical exhaustion and the desperation of the moment."
Discovery and initial investigation
The couple, who had two teenage children and lived in London, are believed to have been staying at the villa in the upmarket Cap Blanc residential estate for up to two weeks before the tragedy. Their children reportedly discovered their bodies at around 5pm local time and alerted the homeowner.
Homicide officers initially investigated the deaths after marks and scratches were found on both bodies, but foul play was quickly ruled out.
Expert examination of the jacuzzi
Police returned to examine the jacuzzi for a third time on Saturday, accompanied by an industrial expert specialising in hot tubs. The expert joined the Guardia Civil investigation at the request of the magistrate overseeing the case and was tasked with examining the strength of the jacuzzi's suction fittings to establish whether they could have trapped one or both of the victims.
Las Provincias reported that investigators were examining whether the hydro-massage system created a powerful suction effect which suddenly trapped the couple underwater. The newspaper said: "According to the first investigations, the excessive suction force would have imprisoned the couple inside the bathtub, which triggered a situation of extreme anguish and desperate physical effort to free themselves from the hydraulic grip."
Background and consular assistance
Mrs Tobin, née McArdle, was originally from Castleblayney in Co Monaghan and had lived and worked in London for around 20 years. She was a quantity surveyor and Chartered Surveyor who graduated from Trinity College Dublin. Major projects she worked on in Britain included the Ritz and the Shard in London. Her husband was from New Zealand.
Post-mortem findings reportedly showed scratches on the couple were caused by their attempts to save themselves and each other, rather than third-party violence. Investigators are also considering whether an electrical fault caused one victim to suffer cardiac arrest through electrocution, with the other dying while trying to save them.
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was providing consular assistance, saying: "The Department is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance in the case of the Irish citizen concerned." It added: "As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."
Relatives from Monaghan reportedly travelled to Spain on Wednesday morning to be with the couple's devastated children.
