Honeymoon bridegroom dies after week in coma

Dr. Catherine Mullany and her newlywed husband, Ben

Mr. Mullany had been in his coma due to a bullet lodged in his brain following a suspected botched robbery that also left his newly married wife, Dr. Catherine Mullany, dead. The attack took place at the Coscos Hotel and Restaurant in Antigua on July 27, the last night of the couple’s two-week honeymoon.

Mr. Mullany, a native of Pontardawe, Wales was flown home in a critical condition on Saturday, August 2, and it was hoped that British doctors would be able to improve his condition.

Attempts to help Mullany regain consciousness, however, proved futile due to his extensive head injuries. Mrs. Mullany’s body was also returned to the UK earlier in the week.

Mr. Mullany had been studying to be a physiotherapist at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, where his late wife had trained, prior to their ill-fated honeymoon.

A joint statement by the couple’s families said that they were “absolutely devastated” by the events that had transpired and hoped the media would respect their rights to grieve privately.   ~~Adz:Right~~

On Sunday morning, it was reported that special church services were held in the couple’s hometown of Pontardawe. A moment of silence, prayer and the singing of a special hymn for Mrs. Mullany were all a part of the service.

Five detectives from Scotland Yard flew to Antigua on Saturday to assist investigators there, and have since had the opportunity to visit the crime scene, though no details about the crime are being released at this time.

Antigua police officials stated that they are currently interviewing “a person of interest,” but have yet to name any suspects in the case. Since the murder, more than 30 people have been held for questioning in connection to the case, including two security guards of the Coscos Hotel and a “drifter” that drove the couple around the island during their trip.

An EC$250 000 reward has been offered for information that leads to an arrest in the case, but Antigua’s Police Commissioner Gary Nelson admitted that the island’s “code of silence” and general distrust of police forces have led to difficulties in finding a solid lead in the case.

SKNVibes spoke to one person in the island’s hotel industry, who sullenly reported that “there have been a lot of reservations cancelled since the murders. This is going to hurt our reputation for quite awhile”.