Mum-of-two found dead during ‘second honeymoon’ at 5-star resort in Barbados
A MOTHER-OF-TWO has been found dead in the water during a romantic holiday in Barbados.
Redempta "Lela" Thoroughgood, born in Tanzania but living in Surrey, was celebrating a "second honeymoon" with her husband of 20 years, John Thoroughgood.
The couple flew into the Caribbean island on Friday and were staying at the five-star Port St Charles Hotel, in St Peter.
After a rainy morning on Tuesday, they decided to spend the afternoon at the beach.
But at around 3.45pm beach-goers spotted Lela's body floating in the water, face down, reported.
"Lela went missing a little while after we arrived at the beach," John told The Sun.
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"At first I thought she had gone back upstairs, but after hotel staff helped me call our suite, there was no answer.
"I then go in the water, and as I'm registered blind, I just started calling her name, to no avail."
While John waited at a beach kiosk, people raised the alarm that someone was floating in the water, face down.
At first they thought it was a man, but as they placed the person on shore, John discovered it was his wife.
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The distraught husband recalled the horror moments that unfolded.
"I just kept screaming to call an ambulance, but was then told it would take three hours to get there," he said.
"Her deceased body just laid in the sand for hours, and I kept asking for at least a towel to cover her up because people were just passing by as if nothing was happening."
"I sat next to her, put her in my arms and stayed talking to her, holding her."
Redempta was a medical doctor and died aged 42, leaving her husband and two children, aged 17 and 15.
In her last Instagram post, the mum shared the exciting news of the surprise romantic holiday.
"Woke up this morning to a surprise second honeymoon trip flying first class on British Airways to Barbados. Five-star hotel and all the works. #StillLuckyInLove #SeeYouThere," Lela wrote.
Lela's cause of death has not yet been confirmed, and an investigation is being conducted by cops at the District E Police Station.
Meanwhile, John is still at the hotel in the company of a grief counselor.
He said he could wait up to eight weeks to get answers from authorities.
"My darling Lela was absolutely amazing.
"She thought light wherever she went, making people laugh during sorrow and was the most ardent supporter of the rights of women and children.
"I just want an answer to what happened to my wife, I don't know if she drowned if someone maybe hit her," he said.
"Each person tells me something different and I don't know what else to do.
"The time frame keeps varying from a couple days to several weeks until I get an answer."
The dad added: "I need to bring my wife's body home.
"My two boys are an ocean away on their own, without any support, and they really need their dad home to comfort and grieve with them."
Anyone who can provide any information that can assist with the investigations is asked to call the District ‘E’ Police Station at 419-1730, Police Emergency 211, Crime Stoppers at 1800-TIPS (8477) or the nearest Police Station.
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A spokesman for the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "We are providing consular assistance to a British man in Barbados and are in contact with the local authorities."
The Sun has also approached local cops in Barbados for comment.
