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British couple found shot dead at their home in Spain British couple found shot dead at their home in Spain
(35 minutes later)
A British couple have been found dead from gunshot wounds in Spain. An elderly British couple have been found shot dead in their chalet in Xaló near Alicante in southeast Spain.
The Foreign Office said the couple were discovered in the town of Alicante on the south-east coast, a popular destination for tourists and expatriates. The couple, both aged 77 and named by Spanish police as Peter and Jean Tarsey, were discovered after friends who have lunch with them every Sunday were unable to contact them. Police found the couple on the sofa each with various gunshot wounds from a small calibre weapon.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of two British nationals in Alicante, Spain. We stand ready to provide consular assistance.” Some reports claim they had been shot in the head. A postmortem examination is being carried out but the case is being treated as murder.
The Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, confirmed the couple were 77-year-old expats Peter and Jean Tarsey. There were no signs of break-in although a TV was said to be missing and a computer was found in the swimming pool. The couple were discovered at 4.15pm on Sunday.
A spokeswoman said: “At around 4.15pm yesterday, some friends of the couple went to their villa because they had not been seen for a few days. The case has been placed under “sumario secreto”, meaning the police will not comment further at least until the postmortem has been carried out.
“They found the door was open and there were no signs of a break-in. The area is popular among British tourists and retirees. According to Joan Miquel Garcés Font, the mayor of Xaló, the couple have lived in the area for about 18 years and were well known locally.
“The couple, who had been living in Spain for 18 years, were found dead with gunshot wounds on the sofa. They are reported to have two children, one in London and the other in Palma de Mallorca. Both children have been informed of the incident. A minute’s silence was held at the local town hall.
“The Guardia Civil is now awaiting the results of postmortem examinations and investigations continue.” A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We can confirm the death of two British nationals in Alicante, Spain. We stand ready to provide consular assistance.”