Retired English couple die days apart after scuba diving accident in Maldives

A retired couple from England, Elaine and Malcolm Richmond, 70 and 71, died three days apart following a "scuba diving accident" while on vacation on the island of Ellaidhoo in the Maldives, People reports.

Their funeral director, Simon Hope of Stubbins and Hope in the Derbyshire village where the couple lived, declined to provide details but told the Daily Mail that Elaine died on December 19 and Malcolm on December 22, and said there were "no criminal or suspicious circumstances." The Times reports the Richmonds had spent Christmas on Ellaidhoo for the past 17 years; photographs on Malcolm’s Facebook indicate they were experienced divers, and a tribute on a Maldives Holidaymakers Facebook group said they had visited the island "over 60 times, three times in 2025" and would be "sorely missed."

A coroner’s investigation into the couple’s deaths is due to be opened at Chesterfield coroner’s court on January 30. Stubbins and Hope posted that the funerals will take place January 29 at noon at Brimington crematorium and asked that donations go to Ashgate Hospice; Stubbins and Hope and Chesterfield coroner’s court did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Key Topics

World, Elaine Richmond, Malcolm Richmond, Ellaidhoo, Maldives, Scuba Diving