'˜Free spirit' drowned in bath

A young woman who drowned after falling asleep in a hotel bath on the holiday island of Majorca was yesterday remembered as a '˜free spirit' who loved to party with pals.
Samantha Johnson (left) with sister Carlie (right)Samantha Johnson (left) with sister Carlie (right)
Samantha Johnson (left) with sister Carlie (right)

Samantha Johnson was found dead by staff who spotted water seeping out from under a door at the three-star Torrenova hotel, in Magaluf, at around 11pm on Monday.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the 23-year-old drowned, and Spanish police described the former Palatine High School student’s death as a ‘tragic accident’.

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Her younger sister Carlie, from Carlisle, said: “Samie was a part of me and now she’s gone it’s as though a part of me is gone too.

“We spoke every day and always supported each other.

“We may have had disagreements but we always made up and looked forward to our crazy nights out with the girls.”

Samantha’s close friend, Shelley Cross, said: “Samie was friendly to everyone. She was a free spirit, a popular girl, and knew a lot of people just from going out.”

Shelley, of Seymour Road, central Blackpool, said she met Samantha in 2012 when she began dating her brother Danny, now her ex-fiance.

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The pair quickly became close. with Samantha often popping into Shelley’s former pub, the Cedar Tavern, in Blackpool town centre.

It’s there Samantha’s friends are expected to gather to raise a glass in her memory this evening.

“It was a horrible accident. We are still in shock,” Shelley, 37, added.

“She had gone out, had a few too many, went back and ran a bath, and fell asleep.

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“At least she went peacefully and would not have known anything about it.”

Samantha, who was living in Bispham, is thought to have flown to Majorca with her boyfriend last week.

He returned home early, but Samantha, who is also a former Revoe Primary School pupil, stayed behind, Shelley said yesterday.

A Civil Guard spokesman in Majorca said in a statement: “A local court will now open a routine probe, but we will be informing the investigating judge there is no evidence a crime has taken place, and everything is pointing towards this woman’s death being accidental.”

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Ann-Marie Pulford described Samantha as a ‘lovely, kind, caring, young lady’ who was ‘truly loved by everyone’.

And Jacquelyne Carter added: “Samie was a beautiful girl who loved to have a good time. She had such a loving relationship with her sister Carlie. They were like two peas in a pod.”

Samantha’s brother, Danny, thanked those who have sent messages of condolence and shown their support.