PROPERTY SEARCH
Investigation into diver's death in Cueva del Agua focuses on her boyfriend
Authorities are examining a case of possible reckless homicide after the fatal night dive earlier this month
The boyfriend of Lorena, the 37-year-old woman who died while diving in the Cueva del Agua in Isla Plana, is under investigation for reckless homicide. The Guardia Civil continues to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident, which took place on the night of January 19.According to sources close to the investigation, Lorena's partner, a 41-year-old diving instructor named Ismael, told authorities that there was ‘no visibility’ in the cave, leading him to panic and exit the water. He claims he lost sight of Lorena and, after returning to search for her, eventually called 112 for help at 11.03pm.
His emergency call was cut off multiple times, but he was able to inform rescuers that she had been carrying two air cylinders.
The search and rescue operation, led by the Special Group of Underwater Activities of the Guardia Civil (GEAS), also involved Cartagena firefighters, local police and emergency medical services. After hours of searching, Lorena’s body was recovered in the early hours of the morning. Medical personnel could only confirm her death.
Her remains were transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Murcia for an autopsy. While her family, including her parents and sister, have already held a farewell ceremony, the full forensic report is still pending. Experts have taken samples for further analysis, and results could take months.
Investigators are considering several possibilities, including equipment malfunction, decompression sickness, immersion syndrome, ventricular fibrillation, or external causes.
However, the possibility of reckless homicide is gaining strength. Authorities are particularly focused on whether Lorena had the necessary certification to undertake such a hazardous dive and whether her partner, an experienced diving instructor, exposed her to undue risk.
The man, who has not been arrested, initially provided conflicting statements. When asked how long they had been diving in the cave, he first claimed an hour before revising it to half an hour. Investigators attribute these discrepancies to potential nervousness. His defence is being handled by lawyer Manuel Martínez.
The cave, a complex labyrinth of underwater passages, has claimed the lives of four divers in the past three decades. Experts warn that its waters can become extremely murky due to sediment disturbance, making navigation hazardous. Lorena’s partner emphasised that such conditions could have contributed to the tragedy.
Authorities have confirmed the investigation remains open, but no further details have been disclosed at this stage. Lorena’s partner remains under scrutiny as experts examine her diving equipment and assess the circumstances leading to her death.
The Ayuntamiento de Cartagena, under whose jurisdiction the caves fall, are now studying making the requirements stricter for who is allowed to access the caves, in the interest of avoiding future incidents.
Image: Guardia Civil
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