A BRITISH woman has been arrested under suspicion of murder following the death of a man in a popular holiday hotspot.

Russell Watts, 63, from Rotherham, was found dead in his room at the Hotel Catalonia Punta Del Rey in Tenerife in January.

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Rotherham man Russell Watts was found dead in his hotel room in TenerifeCredit: PA
 

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Watts had been holidaying near the Candelaria area in Tenerife when he diedCredit: Getty
South Yorkshire Police have today revealed a 56-year-old woman – also from the Rotherham area – has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Watts’ death.

On Wednesday, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood said “it was a complex case”.

“Our thoughts first and foremost remain with Russell’s family, friends and loved ones,” he said.

“Our investigation into Russell’s death is still at an early stage and we are carrying out a number of extensive enquiries to piece together the events which led to Russell’s death.”

In a public plea, he urged anyone who had been staying at the hotel at or around the time of Watts’ death to contact police.

“If you saw something suspicious or have relevant information which could assist our investigation, please report it to us,” he said.

“Even the smallest piece of information could prove crucial and I would implore anyone who may know something to get in contact with us immediately.”

The woman is still in police custody, according to authorities.

Watts had been holidaying in the Candelaria area of the Spanish holiday island when he died.

Friends have expressed their grief in touching online tributes.

Last month, Thrybergh Top Club posted to Facebook, saying Watts had been “loved by all and will be greatly missed by all that knew him”.

“Russ was a character, to say the least, and he brought energy to the club whenever he came in,” the club added.

The investigation is ongoing.

The arrest comes after another British tourist vanished on the island, while celebrating his birthday.

Holidaymaker Raif McMillan went missing from the packed tourist hotspot after reportedly leaving the bar in “good spirits” at 6:30am on February 22.

Friends and family of the 5ft10 Brit have reported radio silence in the 24 hours since and are seriously concerned for their loved one’s wellbeing.

Raif posted to Snapchat as he left Tramps nightclub in Playa de las Américas, Tenerife, heading towards Veronica’s Strip.

A report to Missing Persons Tenerife states he sent a private Snapchat message to a friend around 7:15am.

He appeared to be inside a hotel with an “unknown male”.

It is not uncommon for Brits to go missing on the popular tourist island.

Brit teen Jay Slater made headlines when he disappeared while trying to walk back to his accommodation in Los Cristianos from the village of Masca on June 17, 2024.

He fell around 80ft to his death and his body was found almost a month later down a treacherous ravine.

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It is not uncommon for Brits to go missing on the popular tourist islandCredit: Getty