Retired Couple Dies 3 Days Apart After ‘Tragic’ Scuba Diving Accident During Christmas Vacation in the Maldives

A retired couple from England has died after what was described as a scuba diving incident while vacationing in the Maldives.

Elaine and Malcolm Richmond, 70 and 71, were spending Christmas on the island of Ellaidhoo in the Indian Ocean, where they had returned for the past 17 holiday seasons, according to U.K. outlet The Times.

The couple is believed to have been involved in an “accident” while scuba diving, according to their funeral home, Stubbins and Hope, based in the Derbyshire village where they lived.

Funeral director Simon Hope did not share further details, but he told The Daily Mail that Elaine died on December 19 and Malcolm died three days later, on December 22. He also said there were “no criminal or suspicious circumstances.” The couple had no children, and their next of kin — a niece who lives near Manchester — has been informed.

The Times reports that a coroner’s investigation into the couple’s deaths is scheduled to be opened at Chesterfield coroner’s court on January 30.

A post on Stubbins and Hope’s website said the couple’s funerals will take place on January 29 at noon at Brimington ­crematorium in Chesterfield. The message added: “Elaine and Malcolm Richmond of Inkersall have tragically passed away just days apart at ­Christmas. All who knew them are welcome to attend [the funeral] and celebrate their lives. Any donations received will be given to Ashgate Hospice.”

According to The Times, the Richmonds had traveled to the Maldives during the Christmas period for 17 years, and photos shared on Malcolm’s Facebook page suggest they were experienced divers.

The outlet also reported that a tribute posted in a Facebook group called Maldives Holidaymakers said: “With deepest regret and sadness, we would like to inform you that two of our dearest members of the Ellaidhoo group, Elaine and Malcom Richmond, sadly passed away whilst on the Maldives over the Christmas holiday period.”

It continued, “They were members of Maldives Holidaymakers, and they were known to a lot of members, but they regularly visited Ellaidhoo. Elaine and Malcolm visited Ellaidhoo over 60 times, three times in 2025, and in addition had been going to the island for the last 17 years at Christmas.”

“They will be sadly missed by family and the many friends that they made over their many visits. They were very popular with all the staff, they had made friends with and will be sorely missed. RIP Elaine and Malcolm,” the post concluded.

Ellaidhoo is located about 26 miles west of the capital, Malé, and can be reached only by seaplane or boat.

Officials and the funeral home have been contacted for additional information, but no responses were immediately available.