Irish mum and businesswoman Thomasina Tobin, who was found dead alongside her husband by their two teenage children in a Jacuzzi at a holiday home in Spain, has been picturedMichael O’Toole Crime and Defence Editor and Eliana Nunes News Reporter
18:43, 28 Aug 2026Updated 10:51, 29 Aug 2026
Thomasina Tobin was found dead in Spain
An Irish mum and businesswoman who died in an incident while on holiday with her family in Spain has been pictured.
Thomasina Tobin, née McArdle, from Co Monaghan, and her New Zealand-born husband Patrick were found dead in a Jacuzzi at a holiday home near Valencia on Tuesday.
Their two teenage children are understood to have raised the alarm after finding their parents at about 5pm local time at the property in Cap Blanc, an upmarket residential estate in Cullera.
Initial reports said both Mr and Mrs Tobin were Irish, but it was later confirmed that Mr Tobin was from New Zealand.
Local homicide police initially investigated the deaths, but later said there was no indication of violence or suspicion of foul play. The Civil Guard is now leading the investigation.
The couple were found dead in an upmarket Cap Blanc residential development in Cullera(Image: Google Maps)
The Department of Foreign Affairs previously 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 spokesperson said: “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.”
Three relatives said Mrs Tobin’s family left Monaghan on Tuesday night and arrived in Valencia in the early hours of Wednesday. They are now caring for the couple’s children.
Spanish media have reported that post-mortem examinations have been completed and that foul play has been ruled out. Investigators are now looking into the possibility that the deaths were accidental.
According to Spanish reports, one theory being investigated is that Mrs Tobin became trapped in the Jacuzzi because of a technical fault and that her husband entered the water to help her, with both subsequently being electrocuted.
Another possibility reportedly being examined is that the couple were overcome by fumes from the hot tub.
The deaths have left the community in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in shock.
One man told the Irish Mirror: “The McArdle family are well known and highly respected. It is a terrible tragedy. Everyone is devastated.”