Widow of TOWIE star's restaurant bouncer recalls worrying last phone call

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Romina Acuna says she spoke to her husband Jose before the tragic incident
Romina Acuna says she spoke to her husband Jose before the tragic incident

The widow of the bouncer who was killed at The Only Way Is Essex star Elliott Wright's Spanish restaurant over the weekend has claimed the bouncer said he was "frightened" in the tragic final phone call with her.

Romina Acuna has claimed her husband Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo called her half an hour before an incident broke out at Olivia's La Cala, which saw him suffer serious injuries and later die in hospital.

Jose's wife, who was 23 years his junior, married the bouncer in a Las Vegas ceremony five months ago. The pair were also reportedly planning to start a family and wanted to set up a new business in the Canary Islands selling sports supplements.

Romina claimed Malaga newspaper Sur her husband told her he was "frightened" about the number of drunk customers at Elliott Wright's restaurant Olivia's La Cala that night and she urged him to be careful.

She said: "He said he would be home soon.

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"I told him I wanted him to come as soon as possible. But he never returned."

The widow also claimed Jose was planning to quit his job as a bouncer and didn't enjoy working at night.

Widow of TOWIE star's restaurant bouncer recalls worrying last phone callThe wife of bouncer Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo has spoken out (Pixel8000)
Widow of TOWIE star's restaurant bouncer recalls worrying last phone callJose told his wife he was 'frightened' about the number of drunk customers at Elliott Wright's restaurant Olivia's La Cala (Pixel8000)

She said: "He never liked working at night but in the summers it paid well and for a night like last weekend he could earn 150 euros."

Dad-of-two Jose Rafael Pisani Pardo, 55, died in hospital on Sunday evening after suffering serious injuries when he intervened in a fight at Olivia’s La Cala in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A 32-year-old British man has been arrested on Tuesday in Marbella, Costa del Sol and is expected to appear in court later today or tomorrow, where a judge will decide whether to remand hm in custody or release him on bail.

The man has not been named.

A Civil Guard spokesman said: "With regards to the death of a person following an assault, the Civil Guard in Mijas with the support of the GAR unit, have arrested the alleged author in Marbella.

"He is a British national, who had been on the run since the incident.

Widow of TOWIE star's restaurant bouncer recalls worrying last phone callA man has been arrested after Jose's death (Facebook)
Widow of TOWIE star's restaurant bouncer recalls worrying last phone callTOWIE star Elliott owns Olivia's La Cala and has closed the restaurant (Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)

"He has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death of the person who lost his life following the incident at a restaurant in La Cala de Mijas."

Following Jose's death, Elliott closed his restaurant for two days and Olivia's La Cala released a statement, which read: "Our hearts are broken and we have closed the restaurant today and tomorrow out of respect.

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"We are supporting our staff and the family whilst awaiting news of further investigations."

Restaurant boss Elliott, 43, later released a statement on his Instagram story, which read: "I am absolutely devastated at the loss of Jose – he was a dear friend, and colleague.

"The entire team are grieving a wonderful human-being and I am supporting them.

Widow of TOWIE star's restaurant bouncer recalls worrying last phone callOlivia's La Cala was vandalised yesterday following the incident (TripAdvisor)

"The restaurant is currently closed whilst we deal with the shock of what happened this weekend.

"I have known Jose for over a decade – has has been a friendly face since I moved to Spain. Over time he became a great friend & colleague. This will take me a long time to get over, if ever – he was a really good guy.

"We are a family restaurant. We are proud of our reputation – working with great people, creating excellent good and a special atmosphere.

"We do not allow bad behaviour, and I will not tolerate violence, aggression or rudeness to my brilliant staff.

"I stayed with Jose until the ambulance arrived. I've also been in contact with the family."

Elliott also responded to the vandalism his establishment had suffered in the wake of Jose's death.

He 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 remember what a great man Jose was, and how special he was to the Olivia's family."

Amy Denman

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