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Date Published: 27/02/2026

Tributes pour in for British man found dead in Tenerife hotel as woman arrested on murder suspicion

Russell Watts, 63, died in Hotel Catalonia Punta Del Rey last month with police now appealing for witnesses

Friends of Russell Watts, the 63-year-old from Rotherham found dead in a Tenerife hotel room, have shared heartfelt tributes as a murder investigation gets underway. Watts passed away on Saturday January 10 at the Hotel Catalonia Punta Del Rey in the Candelaria area of the island. Now a 56-year-old woman, also from the Rotherham area, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

She remains in custody after South Yorkshire Police made the arrest on Wednesday February 25.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood described it as “a complex case” and said “our thoughts first and foremost remain with Russell’s family, friends and loved ones”. He added that the probe is still early on, with “extensive enquiries” underway to understand what happened.

Those who knew Watts have been remembering him fondly online. Thrybergh Top Club posted on Facebook that he had been “loved by all and will be greatly missed by all that knew him”. They called him “a character, to say the least,” who “brought energy to the club whenever he came in”. It is clear he left a real mark on his community back home.

Police are urging anyone who stayed at the hotel around the time of Watts’ death to come forward. “We are really keen to hear from anyone who was staying in the hotel around the time of Russell's death,” said Wood. “If you saw something suspicious or have relevant information which could assist our investigation, please report it to us. Even the smallest piece of information could prove crucial, and I would implore anyone who may know something to get in contact with us immediately.”

You can share details via the Major Incident Public Portal or call 101 in the UK, quoting investigation number 14/38924/26. For anonymity, contact Crimestoppers by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The investigation continues as officers work to piece together the events leading to this tragic loss.

You might also be interested in: British teen tourist stabbed in Tenerife after chasing thief

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