News just coming in is that tragic British honeymooner Ben Mullany has died.
Ben Mullany and his new wife Catherine, both 31, were on the last day of their honeymoon on the Carribean island of Antigua when they were both shot in their room.
His wife died instantly, but Ben, a former British soldier, was left in a coma and feared brain dead and was flown back to Britain for specialist care not available in Antigua.
But today he, too, has died.
The couple, from Pontardawe, West Glamorgan, will probably be buried in the churchyard of the church in Cilybebyll where they married a couple of weeks ago...
BREAKING NEWS: Tragic husband of bride shot dead on Antigua honeymoon dies
By Daily Mail Reporter
03rd August 2008
Daily Mail
Antigua shooting victim Ben Mullany has died, Morriston Hospital, Swansea said today.
Physiotherapist Mr Mullany, 31, had been in a coma since he was shot in the neck and his bride Catherine, also 31, gunned down on the final day of their honeymoon.
Mr Mullany was flown back to Britain over the weekend for treatment at the hospital where his wife trained as a doctor.
His parents were clinging to hope as surgeons at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital prepared to carry out tests to see if his brain was still working.
Suspect: Clarence James, aka Cloud, is being quizzed by police in Antigua over the shooting of newly weds Ben and Catherine Mullany (left)
His death came as police in Antigua arrested an alleged drug dealer nicknamed 'Cloud' in the hunt for the gunman who shot the honeymooners.
The Rastafarian, whose real name is Clarence James, is of 'the most interest' to detectives working on the case, according to reports.
Officers have already questioned more than 30 people in connection with the shooting.
Police are quizzing James to see if he has an alibi for the time of the early-morning raid last Sunday in the luxury resort at the Cocos Hotel.
Days earlier, Mr Mullany complained about bad security at their resort after witnessing a machete attack on a beach close by, another holidaymaker revealed today.
Beverley Stairs told how Mr Mullany had headed straight to reception to complain after a coconut trader hit another with the blunt side of the blade.
'Ben was really upset by what had happened and very concerned about security,' Miss Stairs, 41, told the News of the World.
She also exposed the vulnerability of their chalets, adding: 'Anyone could walk up the beach and get to our rooms. There was just a flimsy 3ft-high fence at the back.
'I overheard hotel staff saying there had been several burglaries at the resort recently, and a couple who had fought back were severely beaten.'
Arrest: James is said to work as a drug dealer on the beach
Mrs Mullany's body was flown home early yesterday and her parents Rachel and Dai Bowen were making funeral arrangements.
Meanwhile, her husband was returned to the UK separately during a dramatic flight where the plane was reportedly forced to land Canada because of a fault.
Arriving at the remote Goose Bay military airport, the group had to wait eight hours before they could continue their journey to Britain and the Morriston Hospital.
Hours later, his parents Ken and Marilyn blinked away tears as doctors said they would proceed with brain stem tests if their son remained in a coma.
Friends said that they were 'hoping and praying' that doctors would be able to operate to remove the bullet lodged in their son’s skull. However this was not to be.
Dr Pushpiner Mangat, Morriston Hospital’s clinical director for critical care, said: ‘It is poignant that Ben is now being cared for in the intensive care unit where his wife had worked during her training.’
Churches in Pontardawe, South Wales, were holding special services to pray for his recovery today.
Ben Mullany arrives at Swansea's Morrison Hospital
Back in Antigua, police investigating what appears to be a botched robbery said that one person ‘of interest’ was being interviewed.
A team of British detectives, including an officer from South Wales Police, flew out to the island to help with the investigation yesterday.
Antigua’s police chief, Gary Nelson, said the shootings may be connected to a similar murder in the capital St John’s two months ago.
Friends said the Bowens are in constant contact with Mr Mullany’s parents. Both families, from Pontardawe, near Swansea, say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by support from family, friends and complete strangers.
Mr Mullany’s former headteacher Phil Davies said: ‘It is such a loss to the community. They both worked so hard to become doctors and we need more of those sort of people in society .’
Clinging to hope: Ben's parents Marilyn and Ken
dailymail.co.uk
Ben Mullany and his new wife Catherine, both 31, were on the last day of their honeymoon on the Carribean island of Antigua when they were both shot in their room.
His wife died instantly, but Ben, a former British soldier, was left in a coma and feared brain dead and was flown back to Britain for specialist care not available in Antigua.
But today he, too, has died.
The couple, from Pontardawe, West Glamorgan, will probably be buried in the churchyard of the church in Cilybebyll where they married a couple of weeks ago...
BREAKING NEWS: Tragic husband of bride shot dead on Antigua honeymoon dies
By Daily Mail Reporter
03rd August 2008
Daily Mail
Antigua shooting victim Ben Mullany has died, Morriston Hospital, Swansea said today.
Physiotherapist Mr Mullany, 31, had been in a coma since he was shot in the neck and his bride Catherine, also 31, gunned down on the final day of their honeymoon.
Mr Mullany was flown back to Britain over the weekend for treatment at the hospital where his wife trained as a doctor.
His parents were clinging to hope as surgeons at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital prepared to carry out tests to see if his brain was still working.
Suspect: Clarence James, aka Cloud, is being quizzed by police in Antigua over the shooting of newly weds Ben and Catherine Mullany (left)
His death came as police in Antigua arrested an alleged drug dealer nicknamed 'Cloud' in the hunt for the gunman who shot the honeymooners.
The Rastafarian, whose real name is Clarence James, is of 'the most interest' to detectives working on the case, according to reports.
Officers have already questioned more than 30 people in connection with the shooting.
Police are quizzing James to see if he has an alibi for the time of the early-morning raid last Sunday in the luxury resort at the Cocos Hotel.
Days earlier, Mr Mullany complained about bad security at their resort after witnessing a machete attack on a beach close by, another holidaymaker revealed today.
Beverley Stairs told how Mr Mullany had headed straight to reception to complain after a coconut trader hit another with the blunt side of the blade.
'Ben was really upset by what had happened and very concerned about security,' Miss Stairs, 41, told the News of the World.
She also exposed the vulnerability of their chalets, adding: 'Anyone could walk up the beach and get to our rooms. There was just a flimsy 3ft-high fence at the back.
'I overheard hotel staff saying there had been several burglaries at the resort recently, and a couple who had fought back were severely beaten.'
Arrest: James is said to work as a drug dealer on the beach
Mrs Mullany's body was flown home early yesterday and her parents Rachel and Dai Bowen were making funeral arrangements.
Meanwhile, her husband was returned to the UK separately during a dramatic flight where the plane was reportedly forced to land Canada because of a fault.
Arriving at the remote Goose Bay military airport, the group had to wait eight hours before they could continue their journey to Britain and the Morriston Hospital.
Hours later, his parents Ken and Marilyn blinked away tears as doctors said they would proceed with brain stem tests if their son remained in a coma.
Friends said that they were 'hoping and praying' that doctors would be able to operate to remove the bullet lodged in their son’s skull. However this was not to be.
Dr Pushpiner Mangat, Morriston Hospital’s clinical director for critical care, said: ‘It is poignant that Ben is now being cared for in the intensive care unit where his wife had worked during her training.’
Churches in Pontardawe, South Wales, were holding special services to pray for his recovery today.
Ben Mullany arrives at Swansea's Morrison Hospital
Back in Antigua, police investigating what appears to be a botched robbery said that one person ‘of interest’ was being interviewed.
A team of British detectives, including an officer from South Wales Police, flew out to the island to help with the investigation yesterday.
Antigua’s police chief, Gary Nelson, said the shootings may be connected to a similar murder in the capital St John’s two months ago.
Friends said the Bowens are in constant contact with Mr Mullany’s parents. Both families, from Pontardawe, near Swansea, say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by support from family, friends and complete strangers.
Mr Mullany’s former headteacher Phil Davies said: ‘It is such a loss to the community. They both worked so hard to become doctors and we need more of those sort of people in society .’
Clinging to hope: Ben's parents Marilyn and Ken
dailymail.co.uk