Tributes paid to 'kind and bubbly' Wolverhampton woman found dead in Thai swimming pool

Rachel Turner, aged 42 and from Bushbury, was on a dream holiday in south east Asia with her partner Stefan Brown when tragedy struck.

It is believed she had gone for an early morning swim in a pool at the Sofia Gardens Resort on the island of Koh Chang before she was found dead by a member of staff on Sunday morning.

Mr Brown, aged 37, has spoken of his heartbreak at the death of his 'soulmate', who he said he went to sleep cuddling.

He took to Facebook to express his sadness at his partner's death.

"I'm in absolute tatters," he wrote. "Still in shock, not sunk in yet.

"Not able to listen to any music, just tried to listen to something but reminded me immediately of Rachel, cried my eyes out and had to turn it off. Its going to be a while before I get over this."

He is reported as saying he was due back at the local police station to give a statement yesterday and that he wants to remain in Thailand until he can bring Ms Turner's body home.

He added: "We both loved life. We had just set up a company, we were contemplating trying for children."

Yesterday, the shocking news began to filter through to Ms Turner's friends and neighbours in and around the couple's Cavalier Circus home.

One of her neighbours, Mary Cook, 75, said she had been left devastated by the loss of a friend who she says had been looking forward to her trip to Thailand for weeks.

"It was all she had talked about recently," she said. "She was really looking forward to it.

"Rachel was a lovely person. She was so bubbly, always laughing and joking.

"But she would always stop to say hello.

"She used to call me her second mother. She was popular because she was so kind and friendly.

"We don't know all the details yet but what has happened has left a lot of people shocked."

Another neighbour, Joan Haddock, 82, of Westering Parkway, said: "Rachel was a very chatty person.

"She was very busy, usually in a rush, but she would always stop to say hello. It is terrible news. I know she used to go and see her mom a lot. Her parents will be absolutely distraught."

It is believed Ms Turner grew up in Penkridge where she lived with her parents Pat and Dave until she bought the semi-detached house in Cavalier Circus around eight years ago.

Her partner Mr Brown joined her there early last year.

Dozens of tributes for Ms Turner have appeared on the The Express & Star Facebook page.

Helen Blackburn wrote: "Oh my god this is just so upsetting. Rip Rachel Turner Brown you lovely lady you will be missed so much xxx." Jemma-Leigh Lavill wrote: "Shocking! So sad rest in paradise Rachel," while Carla Roberts put: "I'm gonna miss u loads n loads."

Before her death, Ms Turner had regularly updated her Facebook status detailing her happiness at starting her dream holiday with Mr Brown.

The pair were due to spend time in Thailand before moving on to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

In one of her final posts on Saturday, Ms Turner wrote about an experience catching up with an old friend. "Fantastic day and a brilliant Bangkokian afternoon giggling catching up with Mr Gareth Mattison yesterday," she wrote.

"Nothing changes thank goodness!!! Still fab company & a pleasure to be around ... Stefan's completely in agreement – wonderful catching up with old life long mates ought happen more often (and would if they didn't live half way across the globe !! X."

An earlier post relates to her time at the Galleria Ten hotel in Bangkok.

She wrote: "Spent the sunrise splashing around on our own like idiotic teenage love wits getting cool in the infinity pool on the roof of the hotel."