Ibiza Rocks Hotel cancels music events after seeing four deaths in three months including three Brits - as heartbroken girlfriend pays tribute to ice hockey star teen who plunged from balcony

Daily Mail​

22-07-2025

A hotel and music venue in Ibiza has cancelled its planned events after two British men died on its premises.
Gary Kelly, 19, died after falling from the third floor of the Ibiza Rocks hotel yesterday morning, after Evan Thomson, 26, died at the venue on July 7.
The four-star hotel said it was 'deeply shocked and devastated' by the incidents and that it had decided to pause upcoming events 'out of respect for those involved'.
'Our priority is to support those affected and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and to fully assist the authorities with their investigations,' a statement shared on social media read.
'The safety and wellbeing of our guests has, and always will remain, our highest priority,' the statement continued, adding that all customers would be informed directly of the changes by email.
The statement was posted on Monday, in the wake of the tragic death of Mr Kelly in the early hours of July 21. Spanish police said that initial investigations suggested his fall had been accidental.
It came two weeks after Mr Thomson died in a 'tragic accident' at the hotel, confirmed by his 'heartbroken' mother on social media.
The Ibiza Rocks venue in San Antonio is marking its 20th anniversary this year, and had planned a string of events headlined by Dizzee Rascal, Songer and Rudimental on July 23 and July 30.
On April 30, a 33-year-old British woman collapsed and died in her room at the hotel. Spanish media reported at the time that the woman, who has not been named, had pre-existing heart conditions.
And on April 27, a 19-year-old Italian tourist fell from the fourth-floor of the hotel, having flown out the previous day. She had reportedly lost her footing while trying to reach her room from a balcony after misplacing her keycard.
Ibiza Rocks said it was working with the relevant authorities in the wake of the recent incidents.
'Given the seriousness of the situation and out of respect for those involved, we believe it is right to pause our advertised events programme at this time,' the statement read.
It came as tributes poured in for Mr Kelly. His ice hockey team, Dundee Stars, shared a tribute, saying they were 'truly devastated' to learn of his passing.
The statement added: 'We send our thoughts and condolences to Gary's family, partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.'
Mr Kelly's girlfriend, Louise Essery, published a tribute to her partner, remembering him as 'inspiring, whether in hockey, work, or with loved ones'.
'I'm struggling to understand how you are no longer with me. It hasn't really hit me yet,' she wrote.
'Gary taught and showed me valuable lessons that I'll carry with me forever. I think it's to remember the good times and to celebrate the love he brought into our lives.'
Ice hockey team Aberdeen Lynx, which Mr Kelly had played for, remembered him as one of their 'brightest stars'.
'Gary was more than just a talented hockey player — he was a young man full of heart, passion, and dedication,' their tribute read.
'On the ice, he gave everything he had. Off the ice, he brought energy, kindness, and an infectious love of life that lifted everyone around him.'
Two ambulances were sent to the scene at around 12.40am, but paramedics were unable to revive him.
Local police said that he was 'already dead by the time help arrived', adding that initial investigations suggested the fall had been accidental.
'The fall was from from the third floor of the hotel to an outside part of the complex. Court officials authorised the removal of his body at 2.40am,' a police statement read.
They said an investigation was ongoing.
An spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.'
The news came days after 26-year-old Evan Thomson fell to his death at the hotel.
Mr Thomson, from Aberdeen, was celebrating his birthday with friends when he tragically lost his life at Ibiza Rocks Hotel.
Paramedics rushed to the site of the incident on the hotel grounds but pronounced him dead at the scene.
Confirming his death, the Nuestra Senora del Rosario Polyclinic said: 'Regrettably and despite all the efforts of medical personnel, the patient who fell yesterday in San Antonio has died due to the severity of his injuries.'
Evan's mother Lel Kellighan wrote on social media to confirm her son's tragic accident.
'We are all absolutely broken,' she wrote, adding: 'Please allow us some time.'
Following Mr Thomson's death, the hotel said in a statement: 'This is a truly tragic and extremely sad situation.
'Our senior management team onsite did everything possible to help the police with their investigation into events leading up to Evans' death, and to provide constant support from our customer services managed to Evan's friends.
'That has included them having four-hour access to our senior manager for any help or questions and giving them permission to pass on her mobile number to Evan's family should they wish to call us direct.
'They were very appreciative of all the help and support at such a difficult time.
'We are deeply saddened by Evan's death and our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends at this truly difficult time.'
On April 30, an unnamed 33-year-old British tourist died in her room at the hotel.
Emergency responders confirmed when they arrived the holidaymaker had gone into cardiac arrest and spent around 40 minutes performing CPR on her to try to revive her.
According to local outlet Nou Diari, the woman had underlying heart conditions and was carrying an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Her death came three days after a 19-year-old girl died while trying to access her room to the hotel.
The tourist, identified only as an Italian holidaymaker of Turkish origin, was said to be trying to reach her room from a shared area of the hotel via a balcony after realising she did not have her key card with her when she slipped and fell.