A British man who was due to stand trial over the death of a doorman at a popular Costa del Sol restaurant owned by former TOWIE star Elliott Wright has gone on the run. An arrest warrant has been issued for Harry Saunders, 35, who vanished after being released on bail while under investigation for manslaughter. The incident occurred at Olivia's La Cala near Fuengirola, a venue where fellow ex-TOWIE cast member James Argent regularly performs.
Details of the Incident
Jose Rafael Pisani Prado, a doorman at the restaurant, died in hospital on 16 April 2023 following a brawl that took place hours earlier. Saunders was arrested in Marbella after police obtained CCTV footage from inside the celebrity hotspot, which allegedly captured him punching the bodybuilder and personal trainer. The 35-year-old is accused of causing fatal injuries during the altercation.
Victim's Background
Jose, originally from Venezuela, had married his Chilean-born widow, Romina Acuna, 33, just five months before his death in a lavish Las Vegas ceremony. The couple had been planning to start a family and build a new life together selling sports supplements in the Canary Islands. Tragically, Romina passed away in October 2023 after falling from her fifth-floor flat in Calahonda near Fuengirola. She had previously revealed that Jose had called her half an hour before the incident, expressing concerns about the number of drunk customers in the restaurant.
Legal Proceedings
Spanish prosecutors are seeking a four-year prison sentence for Saunders, whose full name is Harry James George Saunders. He has been charged with manslaughter and wounding. A pre-trial indictment released by prosecutors states: "In the context of a fight and while attempting to be restrained by the injured party, who was carrying out his work as security personnel at the establishment, the accused broke free from him and, with the intention of undermining his physical wellbeing and with disregard for the possible consequences, punched him hard in the face which led to his victim falling backwards and hitting his head on the ground."
Jose suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage and several facial fractures, and he died approximately 12 hours after the assault due to a traumatic brain injury. If found guilty, Saunders could face a four-year custodial sentence and be ordered to pay £200,000 (€227,000) in compensation to the victim's family. As of now, it remains unclear whether a trial date has been set.
Elliott Wright's Response
Father-of-five Elliott Wright closed his restaurant in La Cala de Mijas for two days following Jose's death, releasing a statement on Instagram: "Our hearts are broken and we have closed the restaurant today and tomorrow out of respect. We are supporting of respect. Our staff and the family while awaiting news of further investigations."
Previous Arrest
It has emerged that Saunders was among six individuals detained in early February 2023 following a shooting at Turtle Lake near Marbella on 30 September 2022. A 24-year-old man who was shot in the leg while fishing with friends survived. After that arrest, Saunders was granted bail, and it is unclear if he has been charged in connection with that incident.
Restaurant's Future
At the start of the year, Elliott Wright announced that James Argent was relocating to Spain and that he had reversed an earlier decision to sell Olivia's La Cala. He shared the news on social media, stating that the bids received were not strong enough or came with unfavourable conditions. The restaurant reopened on Valentine's Day, 14 February, with plans for a bigger and better 2026 season.
