British couple found dead and badly decomposed in Costa del Sol apartment

Police in Spain are investigating after a retired British couple were reportedly found dead in a flat on the Costa del Sol.

An 80-year-old woman was found lying face down and fully clothed while her 71-year-old husband was half naked in another room.

Police said the extent of decomposition of their bodies – accelerated by the summer heat – suggested they had been dead at least 10 days.

Officers are still investigating the cause of death, which happened in the coastal town of San Luis de Sabinillas, Malaga.

The discovery on Thursday (20 July) came after the couple's UK-based son alerted their neighbour to say he had not heard from his parents for several days, Diario Sur reported.

The neighbour then raised the alarm. It is not clear if the neighbour entered the top-floor flat in Avenida de la Paz or if she waited for police.

A forensic pathologist spent several hours examining the scene before the bodies were removed. It is understood that no weapon was found in the property.

Local media also reported there were no signs of a break-in or violence at the flat, which is a short walk from the beachfront promenade.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out on Friday to establish the cause of death.

While there was no immediate sign of third party involvement, police say they are not ruling anything out.