Brit, 42, dies after collapsing in hotel room after ‘feeling ill with cold’

A British tourist and “beautiful wife” who thought she was “feeling unwell” with a bad cold suddenly collapsed and died in a Spanish hotel room. Rachel Weston, 42, was with her husband, Mark, 41, and two friends in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, when she thought she had caught a cold. The carer, from Bury, Greater Manchester, had visited a pharmacy and it initially appeared her condition was getting better, before her health deteriorated and the couple booked last-minute flights home for the following day.

However, before they could get on a plane, Rachel suddenly collapsed inside their hotel room, and while lifeguards attempted to assist before emergency services arrived, she tragically could not be revived. Local reports said Rachel suffered a cardiac arrest, although an underlying medical cause has not been publicly confirmed.

Her devastated husband Mark said: “My world was completely turned upside down with the sudden and heartbreaking loss of my gorgeous wife, Rachel, while we were on holiday. Rachel and I were together for 11 years and one day – sadly only married for two of those years, but every single day was full of love, laughter and partnership.”

Rachel was a devoted stepmum to Mark’s three children, Steven, 22, Charley, 19, and Mikey, 15. He described his late wife as “the absolute heart of our home”, adding that she had poured herself into helping him raise the children.

Sharing a message through a GoFundMe page, Mark said: “Over those 11 years, Rachel wasn’t just my partner; she was an incredible stepmum who poured her heart into helping me raise our children. She was everything I strived to be as a person.”

The couple married on May 11, 2024, following a memorable on-stage proposal at a Bowling for Soup concert. Mark contacted the band’s frontman, Jaret Reddick, before its December 2022 show in Torquay and was invited on stage during Punk Rock 101 to ask Rachel to marry him.

Rachel worked as a carer at Regency Care Home and had dedicated her working life to supporting other people. She was also devoted to the couple’s two dogs, Maisie and Padmé.

“Losing her so unexpectedly is a total nightmare. Between planning the funeral and keeping life steady for the kids, it’s a massive weight to carry,” Mark also said.

Rachel’s funeral is due to take place on November 6. Mark has launched a fundraiser in memory of his “beautiful wife” to help pay for the costs. He has asked mourners to wear something purple, Rachel’s favourite colour.