Family's tribute follows funeral

By Hugh Turnbull
BBC News, Fuerteventura

Murder charge over island deaths

The family of a former Swansea couple murdered on the Canary Islands have thanked local people for their support.

The bodies of Brian Johnson, 59, and his wife Tina, 57, were found partially buried on Sunday on Fuerteventura. Their funeral was held on Thursday.

"The sheer number of people we have met since our arrival and of course yesterday speaks volumes for just how popular they are," the family said.

According to a Spanish newspaper, a man charged with the murders has confessed.

Following the service, Canarians and British expatriates took part in a wake to celebrate the couple's lives at a hotel near their home in La Oliva.

Family from the UK flew to the island to join Spanish and British friends of the couple at the funeral service and wake.

Mr and Mrs Johnson were laid to rest in a traditional walled cemetery at Tetir, just outside the island's capital, Puerto del Rosario. The couple's son Sam led the mourners.

A statement from the Johnson family thanked everyone for their support after the "tragic deaths".

John Goldacre said Mrs Johnson was a "very kind person"

They said: "The circumstances surrounding our deep and cruel loss are still under criminal investigation and we feel it would be inappropriate to make any comments about the case.

"In memory of their lives we wish that everyone do as Tina and Brian would have wanted. Laugh, joke and be happy and support each other as you have supported us."

Many British bars and business on the island were closed all day as a mark of respect.

Friends of the couple said family remained very emotional and that there had been a large turn-out of British and Spanish friends for the wake.

Estate agent John Goldacre, who worked with Mrs Johnson for more than two years, said the couple were "great people".

He said: "[Tina] was a very, very lovely lady and a very kind person. This is a sad loss - they were great people and very well known to a lot of people here."

He said Fuerteventura was generally safe - which was one of its attractions for a growing number of British people.

'Well liked'

The island has been transformed with holiday developments since the Johnsons arrived nine years ago.

Their own home was a few miles inland at La Oliva, a tiny village overshadowed by mountains and now surrounded by a growing number of villas.

British expat David Rogers said: "The British people here have been pretty shattered because Brian and Tina were so well liked.

Brian and Tina Johnson lived in the north of the island in La Oliva

"If it hadn't been for a man out exercising some hunting dogs, their bodies would probably never have been found."

One man has been charged with murder in connection with the deaths of Mr and Mrs Johnson, who moved to the island from Swansea nine years ago.

The accused was identified in the court at Puerto del Rosario only as Carmelo SA. He is thought to be a tenant of the couple.

According to Spanish newspaper reports, he has made a full confession admitting that he killed the couple with a hammer.

A second man has been accused of being an accessory after the fact and has been released on bail.