A mother has shared her distressing experience of discovering a deceased body while on a family holiday in Menorca, which has left her traumatized and struggling with panic attacks and night terrors.
Emma Elliott, accompanied by her partner Lee Brogden, their seven-year-old son Bobby-lee Brogden, and nephew Lee, had embarked on a week-long vacation in Menorca. However, their trip took a devastating turn when Emma stumbled upon a lifeless body during her morning run at Arenal d’en Castell beach.
Initially mistaking it for a large jellyfish, Emma soon realized the grim truth. Overwhelmed with emotions, she hurried back to her hotel room in tears to inform Lee. Together with a hotel staff member, they rushed back to the beach to prevent the body from drifting away while Lee contacted the police.
Recalling the incident, Emma said, “It happened on the fifth day of our holiday. Up to that point, we had been having a really nice time. That morning I woke up early and decided to go to the gym, but it was closed. So, I opted for a jog along the marina.”
She continued, “About halfway along the marina, I thought I would turn back due to choppy sea conditions, but I decided to continue as it seemed safe. Just four steps later, I looked to my right and saw a lifeless body lying on the beach.”
The image of the translucent body, with visible signs of struggle for breath underwater, has haunted Emma. She described the moment as a slow-motion experience that she cannot erase from her mind.
Since the incident, Emma has been grappling with frequent panic attacks, loss of appetite, and disrupted sleep patterns. Seeking closure, she returned to the beach on the final day of their holiday, leaving flowers and a heartfelt note for the deceased.
However, due to the lasting impact of the discovery, Emma expressed her reluctance to visit a beach alone in the near future.
She concluded, “After finding the body on holiday, I felt down all the time and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I experienced severe panic attacks, and they seem to be increasing. Perhaps the initial shock has subsided, but I still suffer from panic attacks, leading doctors to prescribe sleeping pills.”
Emma’s encounter with the deceased body has left an indelible mark on her well-being, reminding us of the profound and lasting effects such traumatic events can have on individuals.
Featured Image:Emma Elliot, 39, Lee Brogden, 39, and son Bobby-Lee Brogden, seven, on holiday (Image: Kennedy News and Media)
