Thomasina Tobin, née McArdle, originally from Co Monaghan, was found dead alongside her New Zealand husband Patrick near Valencia in eastern Spain on Tuesday. Foul play has been ruled out, and investigators fear the couple may have died in a freak accident.
The couple were discovered deceased in a hot tub at a holiday home they were renting on the Cap Blanc residential estate in Cullera. One line of inquiry being explored is whether they may have been electrocuted while in the hot tub, or whether they succumbed to fumes.
Victim's background and family
Mrs Tobin, 51, hailed from the McArdle family in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, but had been residing and working in London for approximately 20 years. Her father is Tommy McArdle, a renowned playwright, actor and producer who spent many years at the helm of RTÉ's drama Glenroe. He is celebrated for his collaborations with his brother John, who is also a writer and actor. Both brothers also represented Monaghan in 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 buildings, both in London.
Details of the incident
She and Mr Tobin, 48, had two teenage children who were on holiday with them when the tragedy unfolded on Tuesday at around 4pm Irish time. The pair were discovered dead at a hot tub in the holiday home on the gated community, whose villas and apartments boast views over the Mediterranean Sea. Cap Blanc beach is a 630-metre long semi-urban beach.
The town of Cullera, situated around 25 miles south of Valencia, has a population of approximately 25,000 people.
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. Initial reports suggested both Mr and Mrs Tobin were Irish, though it was subsequently established that he was originally from New Zealand.
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."
Investigation and aftermath
The couple's two young children reportedly alerted the homeowner after discovering their bodies at the rented villa at around 5pm local time on Tuesday.
Local homicide detectives initially launched an investigation into the couple's deaths, but Spanish police later concluded there was no evidence of violence and no suspicion of foul play. 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 now been carried out, and investigators are exploring the possibility that the deaths were accidental. 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 was that the pair were overcome by fumes from the hot tub.
Residents in 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."
