Tributes paid to woman who died in Dubai hotel fall

Police say a woman who plunged to her death at a hotel in Dubai on her honeymoon may have committed suicide.

British holidaymaker Abbie Emmett, 27, died last Tuesday while staying at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Al Garhoud with her husband. On Monday, a police spokesman said forensic tests revealed that Emmett had been drinking. He added there were no suspicious circumstances and the death was being treated as suicide.

However, no further information was released on how police had come to their conclusion. The spokesman said: “We received an emergency call about a woman who fell from a hotel balcony. We arrived at the scene and transferred her to hospital but she died due to serious injuries.”

He added: “The percentage of alcohol in her blood was really high and our investigation showed there was no criminal suspicions. The case has been recorded with Dubai Public Prosecution as a suicide.” Emmett arrived in the UAE following her wedding in Cape Town, South Africa, to 43-year-old Sean.

Her heartbroken father, Church of England vicar Reverend Christopher Elson, told 7DAYS yesterday: “Abbie’s family and friends are shocked and devastated by this tragic event. Abbie was loved for her talent and humour by us all.”

Friends of the couple posted messages on facebook after hearing the tragic news.

Nicolene Turvey, the couple’s neighbour in Addleston, Surrey, England, wrote: “RIP Abbey, very sad :(”

Other people left messages on the wall of Sean’s brother.

“Condolences to all the family and friends. Deepest sympathy to Sean,” wrote one friend. Another said: “TRAGIC. Very, very sad news, our thoughts are with you and family.”

When contacted by 7DAYS, Sean, a former professional Grand Prix motorbike racer, confirmed that he was still in Dubai but declined to comment any further. The divorced father-of-three is retired from racing but is still a private instructor and runs a motorbike taxi service in the United Kingdom.

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We were made aware of the death of a British national in Dubai on February 19. We are providing consular assistance to the family.”

A spokesperson for the hotel said: “The issue is being handled by the police. We have no further comment.”

Emmett was due to celebrate her birthday on Friday.