A British pub landlady was fatally shot in Trinidad and Tobago on July 5 while standing outside a property with her husband in the Trincity area. Elaine McGowan, 65, died after a gunman opened fire before fleeing in a silver Nissan Tiida.
For context, McGowan had been visiting the Caribbean island to conduct business at her father’s farm, Cocal Retreat, in Manzanilla. She was the daughter of Trinidadian and Tobagonian immigrants who settled in South London in the 1960s.
Shooting captured on video as police investigate
Footage shared by a local crime reporter shows the car stopping, a person exiting, and three shots being fired in quick succession. The attacker then returned to the vehicle and drove away. Trinidad and Tobago Police confirmed they are reviewing the video as part of their investigation.
McGowan was taken to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Centre in Champs Fleurs but was pronounced dead on arrival. Her sister, Joanne Butcher, said she was outside her godfather’s home at the time of the attack. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not established a motive.
Tributes pour in for former Kent pub landlady
McGowan ran The Castle Hotel in Hythe, Kent, from 2019 until last summer. Former colleague Hemang Patel described her as a “brilliant person” and said her death had shocked the community. Butcher added that McGowan, who is survived by her husband Ian and many family and friends, grew up in South London with strong values of family and community.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said they are supporting McGowan’s family and are in contact with local authorities. Butcher has urged anyone with information to come forward.
