Thomasina Tobin, a 51-year-old Irish mother and businesswoman originally from Co Monaghan, has died alongside her New Zealand husband Patrick, 48, during a family holiday in Spain. The couple were found deceased in a hot tub at a rented holiday villa in the Cap Blanc residential complex in Cullera, near Valencia, on Tuesday.
Sources have indicated that one theory under investigation is that the couple may have suffered electrocution while in the hot tub, or were overcome by fumes. Local homicide detectives initially launched an investigation, but Spanish police later concluded there was no evidence of violence and no suspicion of foul play.
Background of the couple
Mrs Tobin, née McArdle, belonged to the highly respected McArdle family from Castleblayney. She had been residing and working in London for approximately 20 years. Her father, Tommy McArdle, is a well-known playwright, actor and producer who spent many years at the helm of RTÉ's drama Glenroe. He is renowned for his collaborations with his brother John, who is also a writer and actor. Both brothers also represented Monaghan at football.
Mrs Tobin was a Trinity College Dublin graduate and worked as a Chartered Surveyor. Major projects she contributed to in the UK included the Ritz and Shard building, both in London.
Details of the incident
The couple's two teenage children were holidaying with them when the tragedy unfolded on Tuesday at around 4pm Irish time. The children reportedly alerted the property owner after discovering their bodies at the rented villa at around 5pm local time on Tuesday.
The gated community's properties boast views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Cap Blanc beach is a 630-metre long semi-urban beach. The town, situated approximately 25 miles south of Valencia, has a population of around 25,000 people.
Investigation and response
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Irish Mirror that it was aware of the incident and was providing consular assistance in the case of 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."
Local officers employed by Cullera Town Hall were dispatched to the scene alongside the Civil Guard, which is now heading up the investigation. Three of Mrs Tobin's relatives departed Monaghan on Tuesday evening, touching down in Valencia in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They are now caring for the couple's children.
Spanish media reports indicate that post mortems have been completed, foul play has been ruled out, and investigators are now exploring the possibility that the deaths were accidental. According to those reports, one theory under consideration is that Mrs Tobin became trapped in the hot tub due to a technical fault, with her husband rushing to her aid — only for both to be electrocuted. A further possibility, the reports suggested, was that the couple were overcome by fumes from the hot tub.
Residents of Castleblayney described the wider community as being in a state of shock following the tragic deaths. One man told the Irish Mirror: "The McArdle family are well known and highly respected. It is a terrible tragedy. Everyone is devastated."
