British mum found dead on beach in Antigua

Joly Beach Resort. Photo: Rex

A British mother of two has been found dead on a beach at a hotel resort while on holiday in Antigua.

Nicola Raybone, 33, had just arrived at the Jolly Beach Resort where her father was due to marry the following day.

She went to watch the sunset after being left alone at a bar at the all-inclusive hotel while her friends went to eat at one of its five restaurants.

When they returned from their meal to find Nicola missing, they alerted hotel security and the police.

After an hour of searching, they found her body lying on the beach with wet clothes.

Police say the cause of death is unknown, but there was no obvious sign of violence or injury, and it is believed she may have drowned.

Nicola's uncle David Barlow has appealed for anyone with any information to contact them. According to the Mirror, he said: "Nicola had two children Amy 11 and Dylan 13 whom she adored.

"She was alone for a short time at the bar and her shoes and phone had been left on the bar.

"She was a good swimmer and non of this makes any sense to me. Surely at around 6pm or 7pm there would have been people on the beach who may have seen something.

"My sister is inconsolable. None of this makes any sense to us, so please anyone with any information let the police know. I also realise it is most likely to be just a tragic accident but we need to know. RIP sweetheart, will never forget you."

Sgt William Holder, from Antigua Police told the Daily Mail: "Obviously the family are very distressed, it's a tragic situation. Her clothes were wet but it is not yet known whether she had been in the water or not.

"She was found on the shoreline between the surf and where the water breaks."

The Foreign Office has confirmed that a British national has died in Antigua.

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