British tourist chokes to death in Turkey before being found by her teenage daughter

​The family on holiday

The family on holiday

GoFundMe
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 19/07/2024

- 18:00

Sophie Runkee, 34, and her partner JJ Warner had taken their three children on holiday to Turkey

A monther-of-three was found dead on the balcony by her teenage daughter.

Sophie Runkee, 34, and her partner JJ Warner from Hull had taken their children on a summer holiday ahead of Warner undergoing cancer treatment.


However, their dream holiday became a nightmare after Sophie's lifeless body was found on the balcony of their hotel apartment. Warner said she had fallen unconscious after a night out and choked on July 11.

The couple went on the trip with their children Alicia, 14, Tommy, nine and baby Luca - when, on July 11, Sophie and Alicia went out for some mother and daughter time, spending the night dancing together in the local bars while Warner stayed in with the boys.

\u200bThe family on holidayThe family on holidayGoFundMe

Warner told YorkshireLive: "We were all having a great time on holiday in Turkey, we wanted the kids to remember this summer for the right reasons despite everything that's going on. Sophie went out on the Thursday evening.

"She was upset over my diagnosis so she decided to go out with Alicia to blow off some steam while I looked after the boys.

"She just wanted to forget about everything and have a good night with her daughter.

"She had an excessive amount to drink. She came back and collapsed on the balcony outside, she was sick and choked on her vomit."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

In a desperate attempt to rescue Sophie's life, JJ rushed over, cleared her airways, and began CPR. He managed to bring her back, but any hope was short-lived as her pulse was weak and she had to be urgently dashed to hospital.

Devastatingly, there was nothing more the doctors could do to save Sophie's life and she died just 24hours later.

JJ continued: "It's difficult to put into words what has happened, we're all still in shock. Sophie wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend.

"We were together 24-hours-a-day, we were never ever ever apart. I don't know what I will do without her. I have nobody else in my life. She was the love of my life, she was my soul mate.

"I don't even know how I'm going to get through this. We have both suffered quite abusive lives, so we understood each other on a level that nobody else can understand."

Paying heartbreaking tribute to Sophie, Jj said: "My darling angel, the love of my life, nothing will never be the same. You will be forever in our hearts, we will miss you forever, I will be laid to rest with you when it's my time and we will be together again.

"Until then I promise to take care of our babies for the rest of my life, and try and do as good a job as you did. You will always be their mum, nobody will ever be able to take your place."

Sophie's best friend, Jenny Phillips, has set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to support Jj and the children; to donate, click here.

You may like