THE family of a Forest of Dean woman who died after falling seriously ill on holiday in Cape Verde say they are still searching for answers following a pre-inquest review hearing into her death.

Karen Pooley, 64, travelled to the Riu Funana resort in Sal on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, for what was meant to be a two-week holiday.

However, within days of arriving, the Lydney holidamaker became unwell with sickness and diarrhoea before suffering a broken leg after slipping in her hotel room.

According to statements issued after the hearing, Mrs Pooley returned to her room to rest on Saturday, October 11, after developing gastric illness symptoms.

In the early hours of Sunday, October 12, she reportedly slipped on water leaking from a fridge while attempting to go to the bathroom, suffering a fracture to her left femur.

Mrs Pooley was transferred to a local clinic, where her family say she continued to suffer from diarrhoea and vomiting alongside severe pain from the injury.

Her condition deteriorated over the following days and, on Thursday, October 16, she was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent medical treatment and admitted to intensive care.

She died in the early hours of Friday, October 17.

Following the pre-inquest review hearing, specialist international serious injury lawyer Jatinder Paul, of Irwin Mitchell, said Mrs Pooley’s loved ones had been left devastated by the circumstances surrounding her death.

Mr Paul said: “Karen’s loved ones have been left shocked and devastated by her death and the circumstances surrounding it.

“Understandably, they have many questions and concerns about how Karen fell ill while on holiday in Cape Verde and the events that unfolded in the lead up to her death.

“Nothing can make up for Karen’s death and what her family are going through. However, we’re determined to help provide them with the answers they deserve.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Pooley’s husband, Andy, described the continuing impact her death has had on those closest to her.

He said: “Our family is still living with an overwhelming sense of loss. Karen was warm, generous and thoughtful – a loving wife and mum who found joy in the simplest things, whether that was swimming, walking our dog in the Forest of Dean or helping out at her local charity shop.

“She meant so much to so many people.”

Mr Pooley said the family had remained in regular contact with Mrs Pooley through video calls while she was being treated in Cape Verde.

He added: “It was heartbreaking to see how unwell and distressed she was becoming.

“It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the pain we now live with and the hole Karen’s death has left in our family.

“We struggle to comprehend how Karen went on holiday and didn’t come home. What we now want most are clear answers about what happened to Karen. She deserves that, and so does our family.”

Mrs Pooley, a retired benefits advisor from Lydney, also leaves behind children James, 29, and Liz, 37.