Bodies of Susan and John Cooper released by Egyptian investigators
The bodies of travel agent Susan Cooper and her husband John are due to be flown back to the UK following their release by the Egyptian authorities who have been investigating their sudden deaths while on a Thomas Cook holiday on August 20.
Egypt’s general prosecutor, who ordered the release of their bodies to a UK Embassy representative in Cairo, said the results of the autopsies will be released at a later stage and that the investigation will continue, but it is likely post-mortems will also be carried out in Britain.
It has emerged this week that authorities in Egypt are exploring claims that the bedroom next to where the couple were taken ill was sprayed with a strong pesticide just hours before their deaths. The Coopers’ daughter Kelly Ormerod, who was on holiday with her parents, said there was a strange smell in their room when she found them dying.
Independent tests conducted at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel have revealed high levels of E-coli and staphylococcus bacteria, which is linked to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome, was found in food at the hotel.
But Thomas Cook said this did not explain the Coopers’ sudden deaths, which were initially put down to heart and respiratory failure.
The operator has stopped selling the hotel and moved clients to other properties.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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