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Date Published: 14/10/2024

Family of British woman who died in Alicante balcony fall demand Met investigation

Investigating officers in Torrevieja have ruled the young British woman’s death as a suicide

The family and friends of Piia Hokkanen, a British IT executive who tragically fell to her death from an apartment block in Alicante on her 50th birthday, are calling on the Metropolitan police to intervene in the Spanish police investigation into her fatality.

The Guardia Civil's initial report suggests that Hokkanen's death was likely a suicide, but those closest to her are convinced that there's more to the story.

Ms Hokkanen, a product manager at Visa Europe, had travelled to Torrevieja for a three-day mini-break with her boyfriend of seven years, Eugene Doris. The couple had borrowed Hokkanen's sister's holiday home, but their trip took a devastating turn on the evening of September 4. Ms Hokkanen was found lifeless on a neighbour's patio, having fallen from a window.

Friends and family are concerned that the Spanish police have rushed to conclusions without thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the holidaymaker's death.

They claim that not all residents in the apartment block have been interviewed, and key evidence such as Ms Hokkanen's two mobile phones and CCTV footage from nearby buildings have not been secured or analysed.

Her boyfriend Eugene is still reeling from the news of her death. According to statements he made to investigators, the 42-year-old had left the apartment four hours before her fall to stay in a hostel after an argument, and only learned of her passing when he was formally informed by the police nearly 24 hours later.

“I don't think she was suicidal, no,” Mr Doris said in an interview. “I think we are just liaising with the police and trying to get evidence. The police investigation is not finished yet. I'm looking to get Spanish lawyers to try and prod the police to investigate further with her phones and bank statements.

“Possibly it was an accident. Probably it was an accident, yeah, that’s what I think.”

However, despite the demands of Ms Hokkanen’s family that the UK authorities become more involved in the investigation, the Met office admits its role in cases of accidents and deaths in Spain is “limited.”

“Information has now been shared with Spanish authorities leading this case. It will be for them to determine whether further action may be required,” a spokesperson said last week.

In other news: Notorious Italian drug lord hunted down in Benidorm

Image: Family handout

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