Police tell murdered bride's husband: 'You'll find another wife'

Mauritius. File photo / NZ Herald

An Irish bridegroom who found his wife murdered on their honeymoon told yesterday how police asked him: "What are you crying about? You're young, you'll get another wife."

John McAreavey and Michaela Harte had been married only 12 days when she was found strangled in the bathtub of their luxury hotel on the paradise island of Mauritius.

Two hotel employees are accused of murdering 27-year-old Mrs McAreavey when she returned to the couple's room at the exclusive beachside complex and caught them stealing.

Appearing as a prosecution witness in the high-profile case at the Supreme Court in the island's capital, Port Louis, Mr McAreavey said his own life had effectively ended when his "wonderful, wonderful" wife died on their honeymoon.

The 28-year-old accountant told of the appalling way he was treated by police after finding her body.

Following their cruel 'what are you crying about' jibe, he said, four officers drove him away from the hotel in a jeep. "Further up the road they pulled in at the side of road and a couple of the policemen got out and went to a fast food thing and got themselves something to eat."

Mr McAreavey said he was then taken to a derelict-looking building where he was put in a room and officers took off his shirt and examined him for marks. "I could see what was going through their minds," he said. "They put handcuffs on me and I was sat down on a bench."

Mr McAreavey said he was then left alone. "It was for at least five hours, I'm sure, more - actually it was late into the night."

He said he was eventually released after making a statement and returned to the hotel where a nurse cared for him through the night.

As he began giving evidence, Mr McAreavey described his "special" wife, the daughter of Mickey Harte, manager of the Tyrone Gaelic Football team. He produced pictures of her which were passed to the jury.

"Michaela was a wonderful, wonderful person, a really special human," he said. "She completed my whole life.

"She was loved by her parents - she was their only daughter. She was cherished by her brothers - their only sister. She had so many special qualities that it would be impossible for me to fully explain how a good a person she was."

Room attendant Avinash Treebhoowoon, 31, and floor supervisor Sandip Moneea, 42, deny the premeditated murder of teacher Mrs McAreavey at the Legends Hotel in January last year.

She had surprised them when she returned to the room to get biscuits. They claim she died accidentally when they pinned her down to stop her screaming. Mr McAreavey said he tried to revive his bride using CPR, although he did not know how to do it.

"Michaela was cold and her lips were blue. I just kept on saying, "Michaela, Michaela, wake up, come on, come on.

"I could see a mark on her neck. I didn't know what was going on."

The trial continues.

- DAILY MAIL