Ibiza’s summer scene is usually packed with wild energy, music, and unforgettable memories.
But this season at the famed Ibiza Rocks Hotel has taken a dark and heartbreaking turn.
Instead of dancing and pool parties, the spotlight has shifted to a string of tragedies that have shaken both holidaymakers and locals.
Ibiza Rocks Suspends Events Following Two Deaths
On Monday, Ibiza Rocks made the difficult decision to hit pause on its popular events.
The hotel, known for attracting major stars and crowds to its vibrant courtyard parties, announced it was halting all scheduled activities “out of respect” after the second tragic death on its property in just a matter of weeks.
Young British Ice Hockey Player Dies After Fall
The most recent loss was Gary Kelly, a 19-year-old British ice hockey player, who fell from the third floor of the hotel just after midnight on July 21.
Emergency services rushed to the scene around 12:40 a.m., but sadly, they couldn’t save him.
Spanish police have said the fall appears to have been accidental.
Grieving Family and Friends Demand Safety Improvements
Kelly’s death came shortly after the passing of Evan Thomson, 26, who died on July 7 after falling from the sixth floor.
His devastated family has been vocal about their concerns.
His sister, Telia, urged the hotel to install glass panels on balconies, hoping such a move could prevent future tragedies.
“This could spare other families from this unbearable pain,” she said.
Eyewitnesses Speak Out on Hotel’s Response
Thomson’s friend, James Shand, didn’t hold back, telling local press that if something like this happened in the UK, the venue would have been shut down immediately.
Others, like Remi Duncan, criticized how quickly the music resumed after the tragedy.
“It made me sick,” she said, recalling how the hotel posted party promos just hours after Thomson’s death.
More Deaths at the Same Venue Raise Serious Concerns
Sadly, these aren’t isolated incidents.
Just this April, a 19-year-old Italian woman fell to her death from the fourth floor while trying to reach her room via a balcony.
Three days later, a 33-year-old British woman collapsed and died in her hotel room, despite paramedics’ attempts to save her.
Back in 2020, Amy Connor, a 23-year-old from Northern Ireland, passed away in her sleep during her stay at Ibiza Rocks.
Her family praised hotel staff for their kindness and support, calling them “incredible” during their time of grief.
The 2014 Case That Sparked a Police Probe
In 2014, Luke Rhoden, a 25-year-old former rugby player, died after falling from a first-floor balcony and later being restrained by Spanish police.
Witness accounts and phone footage later raised serious concerns about the force used by the officers.
A UK inquest ruled Rhoden died from asphyxiation due to excessive restraint and a drug reaction.
His father, Norman Rhoden, called for accountability, worried by reports that his son may have been unnecessarily beaten.
One witness, Annabelle Smith, even claimed she was warned by police to stop filming the incident or risk being next.
Earlier Cases Add to the Hotel’s Troubling History
Even earlier, in 2008, Michael Robertson, a 23-year-old British tourist, collapsed at the hotel after reportedly taking ecstasy and later died in hospital.
That too added to a growing list of deaths that have cast a shadow over the venue’s reputation.
Ibiza Rocks Says It’s Not to Blame but Offers Condolences
In a statement addressing the recent tragedies, Ibiza Rocks Hotel emphasized that the causes of the incidents were “beyond our control” but extended their condolences to the families affected.
The hotel insisted that guest safety remains their top priority and thanked the public for giving space and privacy to the grieving families.
Locals Dub It the ‘Death Hotel’ as Calls for Change Grow
As more details emerge, local outlet Noudiari reported that the hotel’s troubling record has led some to label it the “Death Hotel.”
Though there’s currently no evidence directly blaming the hotel for these deaths, public pressure is mounting.
People are calling for urgent safety reviews, stricter balcony barriers, and a reevaluation of how such venues operate in high-risk environments.