This is the horrifying moment a motorist speeds away after a British pub landlady was shot dead in front of her husband during a dream Caribbean holiday. Elaine McGowan, 65, was gunned down in the yard of a property in Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago, on July 5 while standing next to her husband, Ian.
Chilling video footage shared by a local crime reporter captures the moment a silver Nissan Tiida pulls up outside the house. A suspect is seen jumping out of the vehicle and marching towards the home before three gunshots ring out in quick succession. The gunman is then seen sprinting back to the car before it accelerates away, leaving Mrs McGowan mortally wounded.
Ms McGowan, who famously ran The Castle Hotel in Hythe, Kent, until last summer, had travelled to the Caribbean island to tend to business at her father’s farm, Cocal Retreat, in Manzanilla.
Her sister, Joanne Butcher, revealed the tragedy occurred right outside Ms McGowan’s godfather’s house. The former landlady was rushed to the nearby Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre in Champs Fleurs but was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival.
Trinidad and Tobago Police confirmed they have obtained the chilling CCTV footage and are using it as part of their active homicide investigation. No arrests have been made so far, and a motive for the attack has yet to be established.
Heartbroken loved ones and former colleagues have paid emotional tribute to the popular Kent businesswoman, who is survived by her husband Ian and a large extended network of family and friends.
Former colleague Hemang Patel said: “I couldn’t believe what happened to her. It’s a huge shame. To me, she’s always been a brilliant person. A lot of people know her. It’s been quite shocking this week. I can’t believe it’s happened to someone, you don’t expect it.”
Ms McGowan was the daughter of Caribbean immigrants who settled in South London in the 1960s. Ms Butcher added: “Elaine, myself and my cousins grew up in South London in the 60s and our parents – all immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago – always believed in the values of family and community. We spent every weekend and every holiday together.”
The FCDO confirmed that it has stepped in to aid the grieving family. A spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Trinidad and Tobago and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Detectives in Trinidad are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward immediately.