Tributes to gran found dead in Tunisia resort (From The Northern Echo)

Tributes to gran found dead in Tunisia resort

5:05am Saturday 5th July 2008 in

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a grandmother rumoured to have been killed by her Tunisian lover.

The body of Pauline Richardson, from Bishop Auckland, was found on Tuesday near the Port El Kantaoui resort after she suffered a violent death.

A Tunisian man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the 64-year-old, and a Tunisian embassy spokesman has confirmed he is being questioned.

Mrs Richardson was a frequent visitor to the Tunisian resort, and it is thought she was involved with a man who lives there.

A County Durham police worker posted a comment on the internet yesterday saying Mrs Richardson was killed when she tried to end the relationship.

It stated: "It is believed she tried to end her relationship with the Tunisian before she was due to fly home with friends at the end of June, and she had not been seen or heard from since.

"I am totally shocked, I would never think something like this would happen in such a nice country."

Meanwhile, friends paid tribute to Ms Richardson and described her as caring and living life to the full.

Friend Terence Crook wrote on a tribute website: "We remember Pauline as a friend, a holiday companion, a work colleague and for her love for shopping. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts go with her family in their sad loss. We will hold her in our thoughts forever."

Another friend, Helen Lake, said: "You always looked fantastic, we never saw you untidy, even when out walking your dog.

"You will be remembered by us both as a lovely fun lady with a great sense of humour."

Ms Richardson returned to live in Bishop Auckland after the death of her husband, Matthew, 12 years ago.

The couple lived between Gravesend, Kent, and a holiday home in Spain.

Ms Richardson's daughter, Barbara Sains, also from Bishop Auckland, said: "We are at a complete loss as to why this should have happened.

"The news of her death has come as a dreadful shock.

"To be told that she has been killed is so hard to accept. It has left us all totally numb."