A Spanish coroner has determined that electrocution was the most likely cause of death for a British couple found dead in a hot tub at a holiday villa in Cullera, Valencia, according to the Daily Mail. Patrick and Thomasina Tobin, both in their 40s, were discovered in the early hours of August 25 by their two teenage children, shortly before the family was due to travel home to Greenwich, London.
Fatal Rescue Attempt in Hot Tub
The couple had been holidaying at Villa Luna for just two days, having booked a stay of over two weeks in the coastal village before their teens returned to school. Their bodies were found by their 14-year-old, who has special needs, and their 16-year-old daughter. Foul play and any third-party involvement were ruled out at the beginning of the investigation.
According to the coroner's report, the couple's loved ones now understand that 'one of them was found in the [hot tub] and one of them was next to it.' A friend of the couple said: 'The assumption is that Paddy was trying to drag Thomasina out. She was really small, but he was still wet and was then electrocuted himself.'
Coroner's Findings and Family Questions
The coroner's determination followed speculation that the couple could have died from chemical poisoning, overheating, or drowning after a malfunction trapped them in the tub. Early findings from the scene indicate that Patrick was fatally injured when coming to his wife's aid, his wet arms 'acting like a conductor for the electrical current.' Surface injuries on their bodies, including scratch marks on both, with Patrick's more pronounced, suggested there had been either a struggle or rescue attempt.
Thomasina, born and raised in the small county of Co Monaghan, Ireland, had been married to Patrick, from New Zealand, for almost 20 years. Patrick had recently been promoted to a management position at HCLTech's London branch, while Thomasina worked as a quantity surveyor for luxury hotels.
Ongoing Questions and Memorial Plans
Despite the coroner's findings, the late couple's friends and relatives still have questions and are awaiting answers as to who, if anyone, is responsible for what happened. 'There was total confusion about how such an awful thing could have happened, and to some extent there still is,' a friend said. 'The police said it was some sort of [hot tub] accident, but we could not figure out how this could have happened and taken both of their lives.'
The friend added: 'Of course this should never have happened, so I am sure there will be further action in the future,' explaining that, while they still do not have a 'clear picture,' electrocution sounds 'more plausible than a suction issue.' The couple's funerals are to be held next Friday, with most of the town expected to attend. The children are now being looked after by relatives back home in Greenwich, London.
