Family “completely devastated” after man dies in Cape Verde "altercation" in tourist hotspot Santa Maria

The day before a British tourist was due to return home, he was tragically killed in an "altercation" in a tourist hotspot. Dean Taylor was holidaying in Santa Maria in scenic Cape Verde when he got involved in a disagreement with locals.

The 25-year-old died on route to Dr Ramiro Figueira Hospital on January 7. Five men have since been arrested in connection with the death of the sales worker from south-east London.

Police said the victim was "involved in a disagreement with a group of about ten individuals of Cape Verdean nationality". He was "hit with chair blows" as well as "several punches and kicks" on the ground during the "aggression" with the assailants "abandoning the scene immediately".

Dean’s father Alexander Taylor, also from London, says the family are "devastated". The luxury brand manager said: "My wife is completely devastated. I’ve got a daughter as well and she’s completely devastated.

"My brother-in-law that is in Cape Verde was the one that called me when I was at work on January 8 [to tell me Dean had died]. It was terrible. I wouldn’t wish that to anyone - not even my worst enemy."

The country's Judicial Police said five men aged between 19 and 35 had been remanded in custody following Dean's death. It stated: "On the early morning of January 7 this year, around 03:00, there was a disagreement between a group of national and international individuals on the pedestrian street of Santa Maria, next to the Calema Pub, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old Irish citizen."

The Foreign Office later confirmed Dean was a British citizen. The police statement added: "Following investigative efforts and with the support of the National Police, five suspects were identified, aged between 19 and 35 years old. The individuals were arrested between January 7 and 8 by the Criminal Investigation Department of Sal."

According to Alexander, Dean travelled to the sun-kissed country - fast becoming a hotspot for British tourists - with three friends from school on December 28. He was due to leave the day after he was killed.

Alexander said: "There's a big thing about Cape Verde at the moment. They just wanted to go and spend some good times there. His friends say one of the boys was talking to a lady.

"A drunk guy that knew the lady got involved and when my son and his friend saw him being abused, they got involved to check what was happening and protect him. That’s when the argument escalated. There were people walking around and those people got involved."

Dean's travel insurance did not cover repatriation, so the family were forced to pay 8,500 Euros to bring him home, his family say. They have yet to organise his funeral as his body is still with a coroner.

Alexander issued a warning to British holidaymakers planning to visit Cape Verde, adding: "Be very careful if you’re going on holiday there and watch your back."

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are the supporting the family of a British man who died in Cape Verde and are in contact with the local authorities.”