Police: No suspicion of foul play in death of British tourist couple

Maldives Police Service stated today that their investigation into the deaths of a British couple holidaying in the Maldives has revealed no evidence of third-party involvement or anything suggestive of a criminal act. 

When questioned by Mihaaru News regarding the investigation, a police official explained that Elaine Richmond, a British tourist vacationing at a resort in Alif Alif Atoll, went missing on the morning of December 19, 2025, while diving near the resort's reef with her husband. 

During the search for the couple, the woman’s body was discovered in the surrounding waters.

The official further detailed that the husband, 71-year-old Malcolm John Richmond, passed away on the afternoon of December 24, 2025. 

Following his wife's death, he had gone to Velana International Airport on December 21 to return to his home country, but his health deteriorated while at the airport. After receiving initial treatment at the airport clinic, he was transferred to ADK Hospital, where he remained under care until his passing.

The news of the British couple, who had visited the Maldives 60 times, dying while on a diving holiday was first reported yesterday by the British tabloid Daily Mail. 

According to the newspaper, the incident occurred in the waters near Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon in Alif Alif Atoll. Citing the organizers of the couple's funeral, the Daily Mail also noted that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths. The funeral for the couple is scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom on January 29.

The report highlighted the couple's deep connection to the Maldives, noting they had visited Ellaidhoo 60 times and had traveled to the country three times in the last year alone. 

Additionally, the newspaper mentioned that the couple had celebrated Christmas at the resort every year for the past 17 years.