Else Beekman
Two elderly British nationals, an 82-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman, were found dead in their home in San Fulgencio, Alicante, on Thursday. The discovery was made by a team from the Red Cross, who had been monitoring the pair under a municipal social care programme for elderly residents living alone.
Authorities have confirmed that there were no apparent signs of violence. The bodies were found around midday in a property within La Marina, a popular residential area for British expatriates. According to sources close to the investigation, the deceased were not a married couple but friends who shared a home. Both had pre-existing medical conditions. Therefore, they were included in the Sistema Integral de Emergencias Municipal (SIREM), a programme designed to assist elderly residents without close family support.
Chronic illness and mobility issues
Concerns over their well-being had been growing in their surroundings. On a previous visit on January 18, Red Cross personnel reported that the man had suffered a fall. They helped him up and noted that both individuals exhibited signs of chronic illness and mobility issues.
Escalating concerns prompt further action
Following the January incident, municipal social services and the Red Cross intensified their monitoring of the couple. On Thursday, two members of a healthcare team specialising in social support visited the property but received no response when they knocked on the door.
A partially open window gave them a glimpse inside, where they saw a pair of feet on the floor. Immediately, they activated emergency protocols, calling the San Fulgencio local police and firefighters to gain entry to the property. Upon entering, they discovered one of the deceased on the floor and the other on a bed.
Investigation and forensic examination underway
Authorities have handed the case over to the Guardia Civil in Guardamar del Segura and the local court in Orihuela has taken charge of formal proceedings. The bodies were transferred to the Alicante Institute of Legal Medicine, where forensic experts will conduct post-mortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death and confirm their identities. While foul play is not suspected, the forensic analysis will provide essential clarity.
Challenges for elderly British expats in Spain
As of 2024, approximately 272,402 British citizens resided in Spain. A large proportion of these citizens are retirees attracted by the lower cost of living and better weather. However, experts warn that many British expats face significant challenges, particularly as they age. Dr. Kelly Hall, a social policy researcher at the University of Birmingham, highlights in Euronews that many British retirees in Spain do not integrate fully. They often settle in English-speaking communities and struggle with the language. This can leave them vulnerable when health issues arise or when a partner passes away, leading to loneliness and isolation.
The British Embassy has also raised concerns that tens of thousands of expats may lack access to adequate support networks. Unlike in the UK, Spain’s social care system expects more familial involvement, which can leave foreign residents particularly exposed.
This is one of the motives why supportinspain.org was founded, an independent, not-for-profit community website. It is aimed at British residents over 50 and other international residents in Spain who may need extra advice or help. The founders aim to fight social exclusion and vulnerability by improving the information available to people living in a less familiar country.
San Fulgencio: a British expat enclave
San Fulgencio is known for having one of the highest concentrations of British residents in Spain. With approximately 3,000 British citizens compared to 2,800 Spaniards, the town has become a significant hub for expatriates. These particularly live in developments such as La Marina and Oasis. Many residents are retirees, drawn by the Mediterranean climate and affordable cost of living.