British tourist found dead in swimming pool after suffering Sudden Adult Death Syndrome 

Oliver, from Coventry, is thought to have fallen ill while going for a swim on the first day of his family holiday. His lifeless body was discovered at 7.45am on Tuesday by a maintenance worker

The family of a British tourist who tragically drowned on the first day of their holiday have paid tribute to their ‘gentle, kind and humble’ son.

Successful entrepreneur Stefan Wissenbach had taken his wife, two sons and daughter to Menorca to stay in a luxury villa owned, unbeknown to them, by Richard Branson’s sister Lindy.​

But on the very first morning they found their eldest son Oliver, 25, dead at the bottom of the swimming pool.​

Oliver, from Coventry, is thought to have fallen ill while going for a swim and his lifeless body was found at 7.45am on Tuesday by a maintenance worker.

In a hearbreaking statement released last night they said: ‘On 10 September 2019 at 8 a.m., we discovered the body of our beloved Oli, lying peacefully at the bottom of a swimming pool in Menorca. It was the first day of our long-awaited family holiday. He was 25 years old. ​

‘The subsequent diagnosis was that he had suffered from “sudden adult death syndrome”. He had died unexpectedly, doing something he loved, taking a late-night swim. We are still trying to come to terms with our loss, and our lives will never be the same again.’​

A friend of the family said that the diagnosis meant that Oli, a qualified diving instructor, would have died no matter where he was.​

The family holiday was supposed to be a send-off for Oli, who was about to go to China to teach English in schools.​

The statement from the family added: ‘Oli had a zest for life. In his 25 years, he achieved more than many do in a lifetime. He was a qualified snowboarding instructor, diving instructor, electronic music producer and English teacher. He was gentle, kind and humble. ​

'Oli had a zest for life. In his 25 years, he achieved more than many do in a lifetime. He was a qualified snowboarding instructor, diving instructor, electronic music producer and English teacher. He was gentle, kind and humble,' the family said in a statement

‘Oli had a zest for life. In his 25 years, he achieved more than many do in a lifetime. He was a qualified snowboarding instructor, diving instructor, electronic music producer and English teacher. He was gentle, kind and humble,’ the family said in a statement

Successful entrepreneur Stefan Wissenbach had taken his wife and three sons to Menorca to stay in a luxury villa owned, unbeknown to them, by Richard Branson's sister Lindy (pictured)

Successful entrepreneur Stefan Wissenbach had taken his wife and three sons to Menorca to stay in a luxury villa owned, unbeknown to them, by Richard Branson’s sister Lindy (pictured) 

Sir Richard and Lindy Branson together at her luxury villa in Menorca called Villa Gloria

Sir Richard and Lindy Branson together at her luxury villa in Menorca called Villa Gloria

‘He had travelled extensively, living in Whistler, Thailand and America. He was just about to embark on another chapter. Two weeks after our holiday, he was due to travel to China to teach English in a school. We miss him desperately.’​

Since his death the family have discovered his writings, under the pen name Sam Leaper, on the Quora website and are turning these into a book.​

‘As we read his posts, we experienced so many emotions. We cried, we laughed, we marvelled and we learned. We shared with friends and family, and they did the same.

‘Our wonderful Oli had wisdom beyond his years. We immediately realised we wanted to share his work with those who knew and loved him to help them with the grieving process. ​

We have decided to publish a book to pay tribute to his life. It will be called ‘Sam Leaper’s Little Book Of Wisdom, by Oliver ‘Felix’ Wissenbach’.’​

'He had travelled extensively, living in Whistler, Thailand and America. He was just about to embark on another chapter. Two weeks after our holiday, he was due to travel to China to teach English in a school. We miss him desperately'​

‘He had travelled extensively, living in Whistler, Thailand and America. He was just about to embark on another chapter. Two weeks after our holiday, he was due to travel to China to teach English in a school. We miss him desperately’​

His family now hope to build 100 schools in his memory. His father, who works with entrepreneurs to improve their companies, has already been involved in building four such schools under the auspices of the Magic Future Foundation

His family now hope to build 100 schools in his memory. His father, who works with entrepreneurs to improve their companies, has already been involved in building four such schools under the auspices of the Magic Future Foundation

The proceeds from the book will go toward building a school in Africa in his name. ​

His father, who works with entrepreneurs to improve their companies, has already been involved in building four such schools under the auspices of the Magic Future Foundation.​

The statement from the family added: ‘The morning he died, Oli’s younger siblings, Alex and Max, said they wanted to build a school in his honour—something meaningful to come out of a tragedy. ​

‘Together as a family, we had built a school in Malawi, Africa in 2013 and raised funds to build a futher three in the year that followed. Having witnessed the impact, we hoped one day to build more.’​

Oliver Wissenbach, 25, was found by a maintenance worker in the seafront property's pool

Oliver Wissenbach, 25, was found by a maintenance worker in the seafront property’s pool

Oliver, from Coventry, is thought to have fallen ill while going for a swim and was found with swimming goggles on

Oliver, from Coventry, is thought to have fallen ill while going for a swim and was found with swimming goggles on

Lindy Branson told the Sun:  ‘As you can imagine, we were tremendously saddened by this tragic news.

‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family.’

A source said: ‘The police report has categorised this as an accidental death awaiting the result of an autopsy.

‘Drowning is thought to be the cause. There was no ­evidence of violence or any kind of wrongdoing.’

The family now hope to build 100 schools in his memory.​

The death is being investigated in Mahon, the Spanish island’s capital, and police will report their findings to a court which will decide if any further action is necessary.

Sir Richard, pictured with sisters Lindy (left) and Vanessa (right) on Eilean Shona, a Scottish island. He is close to his siblings

Sir Richard, pictured with sisters Lindy (left) and Vanessa (right) on Eilean Shona, a Scottish island. He is close to his siblings

Oliver Wissenbach’s family statement in full 

‘On 10 September 2019 at 8 a.m., we discovered the body of our beloved Oli, lying peacefully at the bottom of a swimming pool in Menorca. It was the first day of our long-awaited family holiday. He was 25 years old.

‘The subsequent diagnosis was that he had suffered from “sudden adult death syndrome”. He had died unexpectedly, doing something he loved, taking a late-night swim. We are still trying to come to terms with our loss, and our lives will never be the same again. 

‘Oli had a zest for life. In his 25 years, he achieved more than many do in a lifetime. He was a qualified snowboarding instructor, diving instructor, electronic music producer and English teacher. He was gentle, kind and humble.

‘He had travelled extensively, living in Whistler, Thailand and America. He was just about to embark on another chapter. Two weeks after our holiday, he was due to travel to China to teach English in a school. We miss him desperately.’ 

‘As we read his posts, we experienced so many emotions. We cried, we laughed, we marvelled and we learned. We shared with friends and family, and they did the same.

‘Our wonderful Oli had wisdom beyond his years. We immediately realised we wanted to share his work with those who knew and loved him to help them with the grieving process.

‘We have decided to publish a book to pay tribute to his life. It will be called “Sam Leaper’s Little Book Of Wisdom, by Oliver ‘Felix’ Wissenbach”.’

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