British woman dies in Spain after falling from window
Police suspect suicide, but boyfriend believes it was an accident
Authorities are being called upon to investigate the death of a British woman in a Spanish coastal city. Pia Hokkanen, who was celebrating her 50th birthday, fell from a second-storey communal window at her sister’s apartment in Torrevieja, Alicante. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on 4 September and led to her landing on a neighbour’s garden patio. Spanish police currently consider the fall a likely suicide.
Ms Hokkanen had an argument with her boyfriend of seven years, Eugene Doris, 42, on the night of her death. He left for a hostel four hours before her fall. Mr Doris was informed of her death by the Guardia Civil nearly a day later.
Mr Doris refutes the idea that Ms Hokkanen was suicidal, comparing her death to events depicted in the movie “Final Destination,” where survivors of a disaster die in a series of accidental events. He mentioned that the police are still investigating and that he plans to liaise with them and some lawyers. He believes her death was probably an accident and is considering involving Spanish lawyers and possibly the Metropolitan Police to ensure a thorough investigation.
Family of British woman who fell to her death in Spain call on Met to investigate https://t.co/RTSfWINhon
— Daniel Boffey (@danielboffey) October 13, 2024
Ms Hokkanen, a dual British and Finnish citizen who had lived in the UK for 25 years, had planned a birthday party in London for three days later and was looking forward to another trip to Spain in October. On the day of her death, she and Mr Doris had gone wine tasting.
A neighbour discovered Ms Hokkanen’s body, partially dressed in knickers, a T-shirt, and one slipper. The other slipper was found pointing away from the window she fell from. At the time of her death, she was holding a wash bag, with its contents scattered across the flat floor, including items like lipstick, a toothbrush, a cotton bud, and eyeliner.
Some of Ms Hokkanen’s friends expressed concerns that the Guardia Civil had prematurely concluded the incident as a suicide without thoroughly examining all evidence. They urged authorities to review CCTV footage, analyse messages on her two phones, and interview potential witnesses. Enrique Puerto, a friend of 20 years, commented that non-residents and foreigners are often treated as mere statistics, with cases being quickly closed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated on 7 September that they were aware of the ongoing investigation. Their role is limited to facilitating communication between overseas authorities and individuals in London who may have relevant information. Information has been shared with Spanish authorities, who will decide if further action is necessary.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Guardian examines Robert Maxwell’s mysterious death and its influence on his daughter Ghislaine, delving into theories of accident, suicide, or murder.(read more)
- Euronews reports on the suspicious deaths among Russian oligarchs, raising concerns about potential assassinations or staged suicides linked to their anti-war stances and Kremlin connections.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Pia Hokkanen in Spain?
Pia Hokkanen fell from a second-storey window in Torrevieja, leading to her death.
Did Pia Hokkanen’s boyfriend think she was suicidal?
No, Eugene Doris refuted the idea that she was suicidal and believed her death was an accident.
What was Pia Hokkanen doing before her fall?
She had an argument with her boyfriend and had gone wine tasting earlier in the day.
What concerns do Pia Hokkanen’s friends have about the investigation?
They believe the Guardia Civil concluded it was a suicide too quickly and want a thorough review.
What role does the Metropolitan Police have in this case?
The Metropolitan Police are facilitating communication between overseas authorities and London individuals with relevant information.
