Towie star Elliott Wright ‘absolutely devastated’ as he breaks silence after doorman killed at his Costa restaurant
TOWIE star Elliott Wright has revealed he is “absolutely devastated” by the loss of his Marbella restaurant’s bouncer who was killed trying to break up a fight.
Wright has broken his silence over the loss of “dear friend” Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo, hours after a British national was arrested over his death.
The statement posted to Instagram reads: “I am absolutely devastated at the loss of Jose – he was a dear friend, and colleague.
“The entire time are gearing a wonderful human-being and I am supporting them.”
The dad-of-three continued: “I have know Jose for over a decade – he has been a friendly face since I moved to Spain. Over time he became a great friend & colleague.”
Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo, 55, died after he had reportedly been pushed or punched and lost his balance as he tried to break up a fight at Wright’s popular Costa del Sol eatery.
Wright explains in his statement that: “I stayed with Jose until the ambulance arrived. I’ve also been in constant contact with the family.”
The bodybuilder and personal trainer was declared brain dead and his life support machine was switched off on Sunday following his serious injuries.
Today, a 32-year-old Brit was arrested in Marbella in connection to the doorman’s death.
The police said: “He is a British national, who had been on the run since the incident.”
Officers said that the man, who has not been named and has been identified only by his initials as HGJS, has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death of Jose.
Dramatic footage shows the moment the suspect is led off in handcuffs and carted off into a police van.
It is believed he is being held on suspicion of manslaughter.
The former Towie star’s post also references the attack on his restaurant, Olivia’s La Cala, that took place today.
Vandals sprayed insulting comments in red paint over the front it.
Discussing the incident, Wright wrote: “Today our restaurant has been vandalised which has left us, already shocked and grieving, in total disbelief.
“We will not let this senseless vandalism distract us from remembering what a great man Jose was, and how special he was to the Olivia’s family.”
Jose, a dad-of-two, was knocked unconscious on Saturday night and evacuated in a serious condition to a hospital in Malaga where he was admitted to intensive care.
One said: “The local reports talk of a group of people fighting but it was between two people.
“The doorman went down as he tried to eject one of the two men.
“There was an argument between two people in the restaurant and he’s fallen on the floor and hit his head after intervening.
“It looks like he slipped after one of the guys he was kicking out pushed or punched him but that’s something the police are still investigating.
“He landed awkward and banged his head as he fell backwards. The ambulance took about 45 minutes to an hour to come and he was rushed to hospital.
“He had swelling on the brain and brain damage because of a lack of oxygen and they said at the hospital he was brain dead.
“They switched the machines off on Sunday.
“Earlier the same day police took all the camera footage away and took down statements from the staff.”
His mourning son, Fabriccio, paid tribute online to his “great father” who taught him “to be the man he is today”.
He wrote: “Rest in peace dad, my father did his best to get his family through very tough times and thank god he was able to pass me everything I needed to be the man I am today.”
Jose had recently got married to his personal trainer wife, Romina Acuna in November 2022. She described her new fitness-fanatic husband as the “love of my life” in an emotional social media post.
On Monday, Olivia’s said in a statement: “This weekend we lost a much loved and valued member of our team.
“Our hearts are broken and we have closed the restaurant today and tomorrow out of respect.
“We are supporting our staff and the family whilst awaiting news of further investigations.”