A British pub landlady was shot dead while on a Caribbean holiday. Elaine McGowan, 65, who ran The Castle Hotel in Hythe, Kent, was killed in front of her husband in Trinidad and Tobago on July 5.
Details of the incident
Elaine and her husband were standing outside her godfather's home when a silver Nissan Tiida pulled up alongside them. The gunman stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Elaine was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre but was declared dead on arrival.
Community reaction
Hemang Patel, who works at Saltwood General Stores with his brother, Hemanshu, said the news had stunned the village. He had worked at The Castle under the previous owner but had got to know Elaine when she took it on before the Covid pandemic. She ran the pub from 2019 until last summer. 'I couldn't believe what happened to her. It's a huge shame,' Mr Patel said. 'To me, she's always been a brilliant person. A lot of people know her. It's been quite shocking this week. I can't believe it's happened to someone, you don't expect it.'
Mr Patel, 40, said he had seen Elaine just two months ago, when she told him she was travelling to Trinidad and Tobago on a family matter. 'We've always supported each other. She used our shop. We go there [the pub] all the time. She's always been a helpful and lovely lady,' he said, sharing his condolences to her husband and her family and friends.
Family tribute
Elaine's sister Joanne Butcher said she had been in Trinidad conducting business as the director of Cocal Retreat, her father's farm in Manzanilla, and 'continuing his legacy'. He said: 'Elaine, myself and my cousins grew up in South London in the 60's and our parents – all immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago – always believed in the values of family and community. We spent every weekend and every holiday together and I learned at an early age how important family is in good times and in bad.'
'If anyone has any information concerning this crime, please contact the police in Trinidad who are conducting a thorough investigation,' Ms Butcher added. She noted that her sister is survived by her 'beloved husband' Ian and 'many, many family and friends'.
Online tributes and official response
Tributes have continued to be paid online, with Rosalie Terry describing Elaine's death as 'devastating news' and 'a great loss of a fantastic friend'. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Trinidad and Tobago and are in contact with the local authorities.'
