Teenagers Find Irish Parents Dead Beside Hot Tub at Spanish Vacation Rental

Spanish authorities are investigating after two teenagers discovered their Irish parents dead beside a hot tub at a rental property in the coastal town of Cullera, near Valencia.

The Civil Guard confirmed Wednesday that the couple, aged 45 and 50, were found dead at the Cap Blanc residential property. Their teenage children made the discovery, officials said. The homicide unit has opened an investigation, though authorities said there were no visible indications of violence.

According to The Times in the U.K., investigators found apparent puncture wounds on the bodies, but said those could be linked to drug use rather than an attack.

The couple have not been publicly identified. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance to the family. "As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases," a spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the Civil Guard told the Irish Examiner that at this point in the investigation, "nothing has yet been ruled out."

Local reports said the couple's children were taken to a hotel in Cullera, where they were expected to reunite with relatives. The bodies were transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute in Valencia for autopsies.

Cullera, a town of about 25,000 residents, is promoted on Spain's official tourism website as a summer resort with an old town and modern leisure developments. The deaths have cast a shadow over the seaside community and drawn consular attention from Ireland as investigators await forensic results.