Bodies have been taken for autopsy
The appeal went out yesterday over social media: “SOS!!!!!MISSING PERSONS!!! Richard Johnson “Hi – my parents Richard and Deborah Johnson have not been reachable since Wednesday night which is very concerning!!!! They have been residing in Estoril – if you know them or have any information please message me! PLEASE SHARE” and a flurry of comments and concern followed – but the news today is the worst.
The couple has been discovered dead in their apartment in Alapraia.
According to local reports: “Estoril firefighters were called to open the door of a home in Alapraia, and found a tragic scene. In the house, located in a quiet residential area, the operatives found the lifeless bodies of a man and a woman, both British nationals (this has since proved incorrect). The incident took place on Friday January 3, at around 17:10.
“The action was prompted by a distress call from INEM’s CODU. As soon as they arrived at the scene, the firefighters broke down the door and found the couple in critical condition.
“Resuscitation manoeuvres were immediately carried out, but the deaths were confirmed on the spot, leaving a mark of sadness and mystery as to what had happened in the house.
“The identity of the victims has not been revealed”, says Diário de Distrio, adding that “authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the case”.
The Estoril expatriate community however was made aware of the identities of the victims, due to the SOS Facebook post placed on the ‘What’s New!? Expats Cascais & Estoril International Community‘ page.
Correio da Manhã has described the couple as ‘elderly’, but the photographs posted on Facebook do not suggest they were particularly old, more ‘retirees living a life in Portugal’.
UPDATES: This story has taken a few turns over the weekend: the couple’s nationality has been confirmed as South African, not British.
The bodies were found in an embrace on a bed in the property, which was rented.
Other details, concerning ‘bags still unpacked’, have been cited. But for the moment the causes of this incident are unclear.
PJ police are awaiting the result of toxicology reports.
The bodies showed no signs of aggression, but the possibility of crime “still maintains”, says Correio da Manhã today.
Richard Johnson was 66, his wife Deborah was 64.
