What was meant to be a joyful family getaway turned into an unimaginable tragedy for a British family visiting Cape Verde.
Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old part-time nurse from Kings Heath in Birmingham, died suddenly after falling ill during a luxury holiday meant to celebrate her husband’s 60th birthday and her son’s engagement.
The family had flown to the picturesque island of Sal for a 12-night stay at the five-star Riu Cabo Verde resort.
The mood was initially festive — sun, family, and celebration. But within just a week, everything changed.
Sudden Illness at the Resort
Elena began feeling unwell, showing severe symptoms that included sickness, diarrhoea, and intense sweating.
Her condition worsened so quickly that she became too weak to walk, and her family had to help her into a wheelchair just to leave their room.
On August 9, after being assessed by a nurse in her hotel room, she was rushed by taxi to a local clinic and later transferred to a nearby hospital.
Despite efforts to treat her, Elena’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
By 6:30 a.m. the next morning, August 10, she was pronounced dead — a moment her devastated family describes as “sudden and distressing.”
Family Left Heartbroken
Elena’s death left her husband Patrick, their son Sean, and his fiancée Gemma completely shattered.
Patrick, who had been married to Elena for nearly four decades, also fell ill during the trip.
He described the entire experience as a nightmare that no family should ever have to endure.
He recalled, “I’ve never seen Elena so unwell in all our years together.
She could barely stand, let alone walk to the taxi.
Everything about the care she received felt chaotic, and we were kept in the dark about what was happening despite constantly asking for updates.”
Concerns Over Hygiene at the Hotel
Patrick has since raised serious concerns about the hygiene and food standards at the Riu Cabo Verde resort.
He claims that meals were often served lukewarm and sometimes appeared undercooked.
“The food didn’t feel safe,” he explained.
“The cheese on pizzas wasn’t melted properly, and the chicken one night tasted odd — my son stopped eating it immediately. The food seemed to be rushed out before it was cooked properly.”
He also noted worrying scenes around the pool area, where some guests reportedly stayed all day without leaving to use the bathroom, leading him to suspect poor hygiene in the water.
Legal Investigation Underway
In the wake of Elena’s sudden death, Patrick has turned to medical negligence lawyers to investigate both the hygiene standards at the resort and the quality of care his wife received.
Jatinder Paul, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: “Elena’s loved ones are devastated and deserve answers about how she contracted her illness and the medical attention she was given.
While we can’t change what happened, we’re committed to finding the truth.”
The law firm is currently representing over 1,500 British holidaymakers who have reported falling ill in Cape Verde over the past three years — including more than 200 who stayed at the same Riu Cabo Verde resort.
Growing Pattern of Complaints
According to Mr. Paul, the number of sickness reports coming from guests at all-inclusive Cape Verde resorts has become deeply concerning.
“It beggars belief that so many people continue to fall seriously ill at this particular hotel year after year,” he said.
Patrick echoed that sentiment, insisting that his family deserves clear answers not only for closure but also to prevent similar tragedies.
“If Elena died because of poor hygiene conditions, then we have to make sure no other family goes through this horror,” he said.
Awaiting Answers
An official inquest into Elena Walsh’s death is expected to be held later, as her family continues to seek justice and clarity.
What began as a dream vacation has left behind grief, unanswered questions, and a plea for accountability from those responsible for ensuring the safety of holidaymakers abroad.